Story: Forest succession and regeneration

Forest soil profile

Forest soil profile

During primary successions, soils develop. Different layers form as the soil weathers and organic matter builds up. This soil on sand dunes at Waitārere, on the North Island’s west coast, is very young. A shallow layer of topsoil (2–3 centimetres deep), darkened by organic matter, has built up above a deep layer of sand in which tree roots and fern rhizomes grow.

Using this item

Massey University
Reference: Les Molloy, Soils in the New Zealand landscape: the living mantle. Wellington: Mallinson Rendel, 1988, plate 6.14
Photograph by Quentin Christie

© New Zealand Society of Soil Science

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How to cite this page:

Maggy Wassilieff, 'Forest succession and regeneration - Plants in a succession', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/11899/forest-soil-profile (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 24 Sep 2007