Geopedological transects in karst landscapes in Campeche, Mexico

Abstract

Objective: To know the spatial variability of landforms and their relationship in the soil geography of the state of Campeche, Mexico.

Design/methodology/approach: Two transects were made under the geopedological approach, where soil cartographic material and geomorphology at the landscape level were used, which were corrected using geomatics techniques, generating a mapping of the landforms at scale 1:100,000. Soil profiles were made from west to east, taking priority the diversity of landforms, consequently generating the geopedological transects.

Results: The results indicate that in plains landscapes such as P and Lf hydromorphic processes occur, the soil is deep and rich in organic sediments, the soil units were classified within the Histosol and Gleysol groups. The transitional EBDe landscape with no apparent dissection presents relatively convex landforms with little inclination and moderately deep and well-developed soils, classified within the Cambisol group. On the other hand, the EBPD landscape presents higher elevation and dissection, the soil is mainly shallow with little or no pedon development and is related to convex landforms, the soil units belong to the Leptosol group. For the elevated plains landforms, a relation with the Luvisol group was obtained.

Limitations on study/implications: The understanding of the geomorphology-soil relationships of a certain region provide the basis for establishing soil distribution models, which will facilitate work on soil mapping and spatial planning.

Findings/conclusions: Campeche has a great complexity of reliefs at the level of landforms, generating and keeping the terrain cartography updated will help to improve the planning of productive and conservation projects.