Slope segments and soil properties of a topossenquence in the Manicore region, AM

Variations of soil properties are consequence of several factors such as: climate, parent material, vegetation and, particularly relief, which controls runoff and drainage, and has influence in the exposure of parent materials to the weathering action. The objective of this work was to study the influence of the slope segments on soil attributes of a topossenquence in the Manicore region, AM. Twenty samples were collected in each of the several slope segments identified along a 3 km transect, from the top and toward the lower part of the topography. The slope segments and the sampling depths were: high top (0.0-0.19 and 0.37-0.60 m), medium slope (0.0-0.28 and 0.60-0.80 m); lower slope (0.0-0.15 and 0.42-0.71 m) and low top (0.0-0.15 and 0.20-0.40 m). The sampling depths were coincident with the surface and subsurface diagnostic horizons defined in the profile morphological description. Physical analysis involved particle size distribution, soil and particle density, total porosity and saturated hydraulic conductivity. In the chemical analysis pH in water and KCl, exchangeable cations, exchangeable Al, available P, H+Al, organic carbon were determined. The use of multivariate statistic techniques enabled the distinction of different soil geomorphic environments independent of the slope segments identifications. The relief variations contributed to the presence of dystrophic soils in the high top and eutrophic soils in the lower slope.