Characterization and classification of hillside soils with living wall terrace technology in Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz.

摘要

The slope soils of the title region of Mexico are subject to a natural process of erosion-sedimentation, which has been accelerated by human activity. Living wall terrace technology is an alternative practice for decreasing soil erosion, allowing the gradual building of terraces with the development of hedgerows, the installation of a sediment filter and the removal of soil. However, the application of this technology without proper knowledge of the soil properties has impeded a thorough understanding of terrace performance. This study characterized and classified a soil managed with living wall terraces and evaluated the positive and negative changes of soil properties related to terrace formation. Three positions were studied on a slope at the Vistahermosa experimental site. The soils were formed by alluvial sediments, without the development of diagnostic horizons, and were classified as Typic Tropofluvents. The terraces are influencing the macro and microstructure of the soils as a result ofthe biological activity that is generated. The problems caused by terrace formation include soil moisture excess, exposure of less fertile soils and high susceptibility to erosion.