A Toposequence of Alpine Soils on Calcareous Micaschists, Northern Adula Region, Switzerland

Summary On calcareous micaschists in the northern Adula Region, Switzerland, brown soils are formed under grasses and herbs at altitudes below 2000 m. Podzols occur below Ericaceae below 2000 m and are formed irrespective of vegetation above this altitude. Calcimorphic soils are not found. Brown soils have a stable clay mineral association of chlorite and mica, while in the A horizons of podzols and in initial podzols alteration of chlorites to smectites occurs.