Spatial pattern and variability of soil and hillslope properties in a granitic landscape 1. Pretoriuskop area

Abstract

Characteristics of nine hillslope profiles and selected properties of 69 soil profiles were determined in order to evaluate the spatial pattern and variability of soil and hillslope properties in a granitic area near Pretoriuskop, Kruger National Park. A transect design was employed in the field to study soil-site relationships. Both landform and soil patterns were found to be complex and necessitated the construction of two soil-site models. Notwithstanding the diversity of soils occupying the land surface, the distribution of soils was spatially related and could be explained by means of a simple catenary model. Exceptions in the occurrence of footslope soils could also be related to pedogeomorphic processes. The analysis of variance indicated a marked degree of variability in hillslope properties between transects, whereas selective soil properties exhibited a large variation among soil groups.