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CHAPTER 2 : THE DISTINCTIVENESS OF SCOTTISH SOILS
2.1 As a result of its diverse geology and climate, Scotland possesses a wide variety of different soil types. The diverse topography gives rise to much local-scale variation in soils, encompassing a range of soil types with varying properties linked to local variations in slope and landform 1.
2.2 The distribution of the principal soil groups in Scotland is shown in Figure 2.1. The characteristics of Scottish soils are determined by the strongly maritime climate with cool temperatures, and the geology which is generally resistant to weathering and base cation deficient.
2.3 Scottish soils are, in general, more organic, more leached and wetter than those of most other European countries. Scotland contains greater proportions of podzols (dry and acid soils; 23.7% of the land area), peat soils (22.5%) and gleys (wet soils; 20.6%) than Europe as a whole. The map also reveals the contrast between soil types in the Central Valley and those in the Highlands and Southern Uplands. The Central Valley is dominated by mineral soils, whereas the Highlands and Southern Uplands are dominated by peaty soils (peat, peaty gleys and peaty podzols) especially in the west.
2.4 This diversity of soil types underlies the wide range of functions associated with Scottish soils. Although almost all soils produce above-ground biomass, the land cover map of Scotland (figure 2.2) shows that only around 25% of the area of Scotland is used for arable crops and improved grassland, with a further 17% under forestry. Arable crops are primarily located in the eastern half of the country and improved grassland in the south west.
2.5 The remainder of the country is under semi-natural vegetation, such as heather moorland, native woodland, blanket bog and montane habitats, land covers which are dominant in upland Scotland.
2.6 Many of these habitats are of high conservation value and are unique to Scotland and the soils that underpin them are rare in a UK, European, and in some cases, a global context.
2.7 Scottish soils are estimated to contain approximately 3000 MtC, which is the majority of the soil carbon stock of the whole of the UK(6,7) . The large area of semi-natural vegetation and their underlying soils in Scotland provides an indication of the high importance of Scottish soils for wider environmental functions, such as carbon storage, biodiversity or water storage and filtration, as opposed to agricultural cropping. Forestry also plays and important role in protecting and enhancing these soils functions.
Figure 2.1 The soils of Scotland ( MLURI)
Figure 2.2 Land Cover Scotland 1988 ( LCS88) ( MLURI)
2.8 In recent years, there has been a shift in the perception of soil value from a mainly production driven, land-use commodity to a multifunctional medium that plays a key role in the delivery of ecosystem and environmental as well as economic benefits.
2.9 Recently, Towers et al.(8,9) have proposed a methodology to assess the potential conservation values of soils based on measurable criteria (rarity, complexity and diversity) for Scottish soil. In addition the Land Capability for Agriculture classification, developed in the early 1980's as a systematic basis for defining areas of natural handicap in relation to agriculture in Scotland 10 is currently under review to include impacts of climatic change on soil properties.
2.10 This analysis confirms the distinctiveness of Scottish soils, and the underlying reasons for concern about future protection.
Question 2. Do you agree that the distinct Scottish soil resource requires protection?
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