Gley

• Limited vegetation producing a thin acidic mor humus layer.
• Low temperatures causes a slow rate of decompositoion.
• Heavy rain/snow fall causes water logging.
• Gley found on flat surfaces causing drainage problems.
• Impermeable parent material (e.g. clay) impedes drainage.
• Waterlogged soil creates anaerobic conditions, meaning iron compounds are changed in colour from brown red to blue because oxygen is extracted by micro-organisms.
• Waterlogged and cold conditions means that not a lot of Biota can survive.
• Lack of biota means less soil mixing so layers in gley soil are distinct.
• Burrowing animals in summer months leaves air pockets and re-oxygenation of the iron to occur causing a red mottling effect.
• Shallow roots meaning less recycling of minerals.
• Freeze thaw takes place causing vertical mixing, which causes large angular rocks to come up to A and B horizons.
• Vegetation is shrubs, grasses, rushes, lichens and mosses.