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1.6 Forest Soils
Authors: T PaynPublication: NZIF Forestry Handbook, Volume Section 1 – Exotic plantation forests, pp 6, Dec 2023
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry
Abstract: Soils are the foundation for New Zealand’s primary production, and are our most valuable natural resource. They need to be treated with respect if we aspire to truly sustainable production systems. Soils are formed from the interaction of climatic, chemical, physical and biological processes on the underlying geology. New Zealand is characterised by a high degree of climatic, geological and biological diversity giving rise to a diverse range of soils in a relatively small area compared with continental land masses. Soils can therefore be variable in character with management needs changing over quite small areas. An understanding of the distribution and properties of soils is critical for effective forest management.