Tangel humus forms − genesis and co-evolution with vegetation

Abstract

Tangel humus consists of thick zoogenic organic layers up to 100cm which form directly over solid or coarse carbonate bedrock. Mineral soil horizons are absent or negligible. It develops mainly in the montane and subalpine region of the Northern Limestone Alps, where cool and moist climate, as well as slowly decomposable litter from coniferous trees and dwarf shrubs promotes the accumulation of organic material. Tangel has a high base saturation throughout the whole soil profile and shows a pH value above 5 in the transition zone to the carbonate bedrock or in the shallow mineral soil horizon.In this publication the preconditions for the development of Tangel are described, different forms of Tangel are characterized and a differentiation from other humus forms is made. On the example of the subalpine zone in the Wetterstein Mountains the coevolution of vegetation and Tangel humus forms as well as their degradation stages are discussed.