Soils in the landscape

Until now, we have mostly looked at soils as vertical slices. But soils do not exist in isolation. They are part of landscapes. A soil profile only makes full sense when we understand where it is located: on a steep slope or in a valley? Under forest or grassland? In a dry region or a humid one?

When we place a soil profile back into its landscape context, we begin to see patterns. Soils on hilltops often differ from soils at the slope base. Water flows downhill. Sediments accumulate in depressions. Landscapes shape soils and soils shape landscapes.

Watch this video about a soil profile in a forest in Germany — focus on the sections from 2:56 to 12:10 and from 22:30 to 24:30. Notice how the speaker connects the profile to the landscape around it.