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The Soil
The soil
structure in the Liliental area is characterised by the loess with its high
chalk content and susceptibility to erosion. On the exposed sites, where soil
erosion predominates, one can find virgin soil in which the humus free loess
extends almost to the ground surface. Through tiny soil organisms and chalk rich
soil solution, a transformation from organic matter into humus took place. This
took place on the sites where the soil is not so eroded, and where consequently
a more advanced soil development was possible. So called Lösskindl (loess
children) can be found locally. These arose through the earlier leaching of
the carbonate from the soil and subsequently became separated from the main mass
to form the single chalk lumps seen today.
The
capacity of the soil to hold water (field capacity) is variable. In areas of
shallow soil as well as in areas of steep relief and high surface water runoff,
the field capacity is small. Plants that can tolerate drought and carbonate-rich
soils can be found here. Deeper and more developed soils in flatter areas, on
the other hand, can maintain such a field capacity that natural Beech woods can
flourish. The field capacity is even greater in sunken areas and at the bottom
of slopes where the washed-away humus-rich soils collect. These superior sites
of Liliental are reserved for the more demanding tree species of the arboretum,
for example the redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum [Lindl.] Buchh.).
In the valley of Mühlental,
on the eastern edge of the area, a small stream sometimes floods the site. The
chalk rich meadow area distinguishes itself therefore in its moistness from the
other areas of Liliental. After a period of poplar and fir experiments, these
areas are now intended for a wood of deciduous trees, which are well suited to
the site.
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Department for Forest Ecology