Soils of Mountainous Landscapes
Abstract
Unlike many other soils, mountain soils often are subjected to strong hillslope processes that distinctly affect their properties. At unstable sites, erosion and other mass movements lead to a continuous rejuvenation of the soil. Under such circumstances weathering rates are kept at high levels, as new parent material is intermittently exposed, leading to the development of a shallow soil cover. Mountain soils are highly dynamic systems that may react sensitively to environmental changes. In addition, they may accumulate a substantial amount of organic carbon. However, the sometimes high C stocks are under threat due to the changing climate and increasing land‐use pressures.