AN EVALUATION OF SOIL VARIABILITY OVER A SINGLE BEDROCK TYPE IN PART OF SOUTHEAST SPAIN

The problem of identifying and mapping local soil variations over a un iform geological material is examined. Soil mapping units, defined geo morphologically, are compared and classified in terms of silt and clay contents, using a fixed-effects ANOVA model. Most of the units, forme d on a single rock type, are significantly different in terms of topso il or subsoil character, or both. The differences are associated with contrasts in the genesis, relative age and geomorphological process re lationships of the corresponding landforms. The approach is not only e ffective in resolving variations within a soil complex, but also can p rovide an appropriate framework for planning land suitability assessme nts.