The pedogenic effects of different species and vegetation types and the implications of succession

SUMMARY The paper surveys the changes in pH, organic matter type and degree of podzolization of poorly buffered, freely drained, siliceous soils in Britain caused by the predominant plant species and semi‐natural vegetation types. Changes in vegetation with succession, especially with varying grazing and burning regimes, and also with stand regeneration, are outlined, and their implications for soil change noted. Many cyclic changes in species a bundance seem to occur naturally which cause an alternation of contrasting trends in soil acidity and podzolization, thus tending to maintain a long term equilibrium.