Anthropic Soils [A]

Anthropic Soils are constructed by, or drastically disturbed, by people.

They include soil materials formed by stripping of the natural soil, deposition of refuse or spoil, or by severe soil mixing. The original character of the soil and the normal soil properties are lost.

New Zealands largest single areas of Anthropic Soils were formed by gold dredging in Central Otago and Westland.

Anthropic man-made soil at a construction site, Albany. zoom icon
Anthropic man-made soil at a construction site, Waitakere. zoom icon
Anthropic man-made soil at a mine site. zoom icon

Occurrence

Anthropic Soils are most extensive in urban areas and areas that have been mined. They cover < 1% of New Zealand.

Properties

The relationships between Anthropic soils and landforms do not have the orderliness of natural soils. Soil properties depend on both the nature of the manufactured or natural materials, and the nature of the soil manipulation. Land surfaces are artificial and drainage has often been changed significantly from the original state.

 

View map of Anthropic Soils

Soil groups

Soil orders are divided into soil groups based on variation in factors such as drainage status, parent material, chemical and physical properties:

  • [AT] Truncated Anthropic Soils — most of the pre-existing soil profile has been removed
  • [AR] Refuse Anthropic Soils — waste material that contains significant organic material
  • [AM] Mixed Anthropic Soils — drastic disturbance and loss of original character by mixing
  • [AF] Fill Anthropic Soils — waste material dominated by inorganic material

Distribution maps

Distribution of Truncated Anthropic Soil
Distribution of Fill Anthropic Soil

Find related content

Soil classification NZSC
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