According to the WRB (1998), the reference groups Podzol and Leptosol are found. The latter are restricted to the shallow outcrop regions of the arenite sandstone whereas all the other profiles are classified as Podzols. The most frequent soil unit is the episkeletic Podzol mainly found in the central and southwestern part of the observatory, followed by the gleyic Podzol in the eastern part of the observatory. Here, the basin like structure of underlying sandstone impedes drainage and deeper percolation of the water. As a result, seasonal gleyic conditions occur during the winter months. These conditions are found on wider areas in the eastern part of the observatory, but infrequently also occur in other parts of the observatory where similar microtopographic features are evident on a smaller scale.

Box-Whisker-overview of selected soil properties in three depths (cm) on the observatory
(RS = rooting space / m³)

Map with location of soil units
on the observatory