A Soil Map of ChinaThe zonal soil types in the East Monsoon Zone are latosol, lateritic red soil, red soil and yellow soil, yellow-brown soil, burozem and drab soil, dark brown forest soil, podzolic soil from south to north. The zonal soil types from northeast to northwest are chernozem, chestnut soil, brown soil, sierozem, grey brown desert soil, brown desert soil. On the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the soil types from east to west are alpine meadow soil, alpine steppe soil, alpine desert soil and alpine frozen soil.
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Soil Characteristics of Jinan, ShandongThe soil type of Jinan city(my city) is brown soil. A zonal group of soils with a brown surface horizon, developed on cool to temperate grasslands. Topsoil dark coloured enriched with mull humus, subsoil with distinctive brown/red brown colours. Lightening in colour as organic matter/iron content decreases with depth.
Characteristics of Brown Soil: Free draining Brown/reddish brown Deciduous woodland Litter rich in nutrients Intense biological activity e.g. earthworms • Mull humus |
Brown Soil:
A zonal group of soils developed in a temperate to cool semiarid climate under short grass, bunch grass, and shrubs and having a brown surface horizon that grades into a layer of carbonate accumulation by way of a layer of lighter-colored soil. The brown soil in Shandong Province highly contributes to agriculture. Brown soil has a free drainage characteristic, providing the roots enough oxygen and a moderate amount of water to grow. Brown soil is also litter rich in nutrients, which is beneficial for the nutrition of the crops. Brown soil also has intense biological activity, such as earthworms and mull humus, making the soil more suitable for planting and growing crops. Data shows that Shandong province has a very high crop yield, which clearly proves my prediction on the agriculture success based on soil quality of Shandong Province. Soil in Shandong Province: Shandong province is an agriculture-heavy province, which means that it has high crop yields and is very efficient in feeding its own population. However a lot other communities in the other provinces of China are still in poverty and do not have enough food supply, thus the Shandong province will always need to export its agricultural goods to the other provinces in need. |
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Soil DegradationMost of China(especially the east) is not vulnerable to desertification due to its abundant water resources across eastern China. But the areas around the Yellow is vulnerable to desertification.
If soil degradation happened to China, the agriculture within China would not be able to feed its national population. China would need to increase its demand in foreign imports and would be more dependent on foreign goods. It would put China on the weak side of the international community if China is not independent on its own food production. |
Reference Links
http://www.fao.org/soils-portal/soil-survey/soil-maps-and-databases/regional-and-national-soil-maps-and-databases/en/
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brown%20soil
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_earth
http://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/soil-erosion-and-degradation
http://www.fao.org/soils-portal/soil-survey/soil-maps-and-databases/regional-and-national-soil-maps-and-databases/en/
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brown%20soil
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_earth
http://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/soil-erosion-and-degradation