The worm-shaped veins in the red earth of South China - Pedological evidence for root traces of past forest

Field observation of the macromorphology and analyses of micromorphology an d geochemistry were conducted to the worm-shaped veins (WSVs) in the red ea rth of South China. The WSVs exhibit outward features of root traces and co ntain the traces of stele that can be used as the definite evidence of root traces. Surrounding the worm-shaped veins there are some micro-features pr essed by past root growth. Geochemical analyses indicate that the white par t in the WSV was depleted in Fe content. These lines of evidence suggest th e WSVs in the red earth of South China are the root traces of past forest.