Pedogenesis in disturbed alpine soils (NW Italy)

In alpine environments, natural or man-induced disturbances are fairly common and acknowledged as determining factors in pedogenesis and soil distribution. We have selected a representative alpine valley in the Italian Northwestern Alps to evaluate the effects of perturbations of different intensity and frequency on soil development and weathering during the last few centuries. In order of decreasing disturbances, we selected: (i) an active avalanche shoot; (ii) a man-built terrace; (iii) a park-like forest; and (iv) a coniferous forest. In the two most disturbed sites, independently of the intensity and frequency of the disturbances, the active pedogenic processes are restricted to the top…