Soil Descriptions

Soil Descriptions

Descriptions of soil map units arranged physiographically (i.e. according to where it occurs in the landscape)

Commonly found throughout the country in higher rainfall areas: widespread on Epi and Ambrym #

• 121 Tropopsamments

Occur only very locally along coastal fringe and low lying inland areas #

• 113 Fluvaquents
• 114 Tropaquents

Occurs commonly in cooler areas (above 300 m) with relatively high rainfalls; widespread in Erromango and Maewo #

• 331 Humitropepts

Occurs commonly in drier areas with a seasonal climate; most common in Santo and Malakula #

• 332 Ustropepts

Occurs commonly in higher rainfall areas on volcanic islands (e.g., Pentecost, Tanna and Banks) #

• 321 Hydrandepts

Occurs commonly throughout higher rainfall areas on gently to moderately sloping terrain; most common in Santo and Erromango #

• 334 Dystropepts

Occurs commonly throughout the country on calcareous rocks; widespread in Santo #

• 520 Rendolls

Occurs commonly throughout the wetter areas; widespread in Malakula, Santo, Epi and Maewo #

• 542 Hapludolls

Occurs locally in dry areas with seasonal climates along west coast of Santo #

• 421 Pellusterts

Occurs locally in dry areas with seasonal climates of Malakula #

• 420 Chromusterts

Occurs locally in dry areas with seasonal climates; mainly Malakula, Erromango and Maewo #

• 534 Haplustolls

Occurs locally in dry areas with seasonal climates; most common in Efate #

• 623 Haplustalfs

Occurs locally in dryer areas of Malakula #

• 410 Chromuderts

Occurs locally on gently sloping upper slopes in higher rainfall areas; northern parts of Tanna island only #

• 735 Kanhapludults

Occurs locally throughout the country along major rivers and in higher rainfall areas #

• 131 Tropofluvents

Occurs locally throughout the country on steeply sloping, rugged terrain in low rainfall areas with seasonal climate #

• 143 Ustorthents

Occurs locally throughout wetter areas; common in Pentecost #

• 541 Argiudolls

Occurs only locally in areas with seasonal climates; most widespread on Ambrym and Efate #

• 122 Ustipsamments

Occurs only very locally in poorly drained areas of Santo #

• 512 Haplaquolls

Occurs only very locally on Tanna Island in drainage depressions #

• 115 Psammaquents

Occurs only very locally throughout the country on steeply sloping, rugged terrain #

• 132 Ustifluvents

Occurs very commonly in higher rainfall areas of volcanic islands, (e.g. Tanna, Malakula, Ambae and Banks) #

• 322 Eutrandepts

Occurs very commonly in relatively dry lowland areas; widespread in Santo and Efate #

• 633 Hapludalfs

Occurs very commonly on recently active volcanic islands, such as Ambrym and Ambae #

• 324 Vitrandepts

Occurs very commonly throughout higher rainfall areas of volcanic islands; widespread in Banks #

• 323 Dystrandepts

Occurs very commonly throughout the country on steeply sloping, rugged terrain #

• 141 Troporthents

Occurs very commonly throughout wetter areas, particularly Malakula and Santo #

• 333 Eutropepts

Occurs very locally in dry areas with seasonal climates; mainly Maewo and Malakula #

• 533 Argiustolls

Occurs very locally in dry areas with seasonal climates; restricted to Tanna only #

• 740 Kanhaplustults

Occurs very locally on upper slopes in higher rainfall areas of Efate #

• 733 Hapludults

Occurs very locally throughout the country along coastal fringe, mainly under mangroves #

• 111 Sulfaquents
• 112 Hydraquents

Only two isolated occurrences on Ambae Island, in low lying areas, close to volcanoes #

• 313 Andaquepts

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