Genesis of podzols on coastal dunes in southern Queensland .I. Field relationships and profile morphology

Abstract

This paper is the first of a series reporting studies in the genesis of podzols and humus podzols on coastal dunes in a chronosequence that spans >700K yrs. It is concerned mainly with temporal changes in profile morphology across a podzol chronosequence and with brief descriptions of sites chosen for genetic studies. It summarizes the geology, geomorphology and general mineralogy of dune systems at Cooloola and North Stradbroke Island and briefly discusses the effects of parent material, geomorphic component, climate, dune denudation and vegetation on soil development. Its purpose is to provide a field and morphological framework for other papers in the series dealing essentially with laboratory investigations and interpretations of the chemistry, mineralogy and genesis of these subtropical soils.

Soil phosphorus fractionation and nutrient dynamics along the Cooloola coastal dune chronosequence, southern Queensland, Australia

“…The dunes range in age from recent to approximately 500,000 years old (Lees, 2006) and are characterised by marked differences in vegetation (biomass and community composition), soils (e.g. organic matter and nutrients) and biological activity (Thompson, 1981(Thompson, , 1992. The Cooloola chronosequence therefore provides an important opportunity to investigate long-term soil and ecosystem development (e.g., Walker et al, 1987;Wardle et al, 2004).…”

Structural development of vegetation on rehabilitated North Stradbroke Island: Above/belowground feedback may facilitate alternative ecological outcomes

“…Figure 7 (a) Soil podzolization across natural landscapes and (b) across reconstructed landscapes. In this schema (above) from Thompson (1992), a greater natural distribution of 'desired' mixedEucalypts is found among inland high-dunes which have an increasing A1, A2 and B horizon. Black scheoak (among other pioneer species) are more highly distributed in fore-dunes which have a younger status of pedogenesis.…”

“…Another consequence of the mining disturbance is the reversion of the soil's podzolization status (referring to the proportional depths of the A1, A2, and B horizons) compared to the more distinctly stratified soils found among the undisturbed sites due to the industrial processing of the sandy sub-soils (Appendix 2). These aspects are significant since the natural patterns of vegetation establishment on the dunes of eastern Australia have been closely correlated with the soil's nutrient bioavailability and associated podzolization status (Thompson 1981(Thompson , 1992. In these coastal environments, the intended mixed-Eucalypt communities typically populate high dune environments having intermediate-to late-stage podzol soils (Westman 1975;Westman and Rogers 1977).…”

“…These open-forests and woodlands have an abundance of eucalypts and large Proteaceae as well as a generally sclerophyllous (or heathy) understorey (Clifford et al 1979;Westman and Rogers 1977). The associated podzol soils (also known as podsols or spodosols) are strongly acidic and relatively infertile due to the illuviation of clay, organic matter and nutrient components (Isbell 2002;Thompson 1981Thompson , 1992.…”

Archaeological expressions of Holocene cultural and environmental change in coastal Southeast Queensland

“…Although the environmental reconstructions from Fraser and North Stradbroke Islands frustratingly lack much late-Holocene detail, it would appear from the sediments and the chronology at BI9 that, from around 3500 cal BP, a vegetation pattern on a stable dune system developed that allowed for an increased deposition of organic material and the accumulation of a sandy loam or humus podzol (Thompson 1992). This period falls within that of proposed late- The earliest evidence of site use is a silcrete flaked piece from SUV, below the 14 C age determination of 3469 cal BP (Figure 7-11; Table 7-29).…”