Raw Soils [W]
Infant soils that may never grow older because of active erosion or sedimentation.
Raw Soils are very young soils. They lack distinct topsoil development or are fluid at a shallow depth. They occur in environments where the development of topsoils is prevented by rockiness, by active erosion, or by deposition.
Occurrence
Raw Soils are scattered throughout New Zealand, particularly in association with high mountains (alpine rock areas and active screes), braided rivers, beaches and tidal estuaries. They cover 3% of New Zealand.
Physical properties
Raw Soils have no B horizon, and a topsoil is either absent or less than 5 cm thick. Most occur in environments with active erosion or deposition. Fluid soils have a continuously high water-table.
Chemical properties
Fertility is limited by lack of organic matter and nitrogen deficiency.
Biological properties
Vegetation cover is sparse and often consists of ephemeral herbaceous plants, mosses, or lichens.
Soil groups
Soil orders are divided into soil groups based on variation in factors such as drainage status, parent material, chemical and physical properties