Foundland

[1] DERIVATION:

Slates, phyllites and other weakly metamorphosed argillaceous rocks, including andalusite-schists, fine-grained mica schists and block schists of the Dalradian series.

TYPES OF PARENT MATERIALS MAPPED:

• Morainic deposits
• Glacial drift
• Cryogenic

COLOUR:

Yellowish brown to olive brown subsoil.

TEXTURE:

Fine sandy loam to loamy fine sand with a characteristic smooth feel due to high amounts of silt; slightly to moderately stony.

DOMINANT LAND USE:

Arable, forestry, recreation, rough grazing.

LANDFORMS:

Undulating lowlands, valley sides, rounded hills, hummocky valley moraines and mountains, slopes highly variable from gentle to steep.

SOIL CHEMISTRY:

Inherently acid with subsoil pH around 5.0. Base saturation is generally low to moderate (<50%)

SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES:

Potential rooting depth usually between 30 to 45cm depending upon depth to induration and bedrock.
Weak subsoil structure.