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Story: Soils

Melanic soil

Melanic soil

The black topsoil rich in organic matter contrasts with the underlying white, calcareous parent material. This Ōamaru soil is prized for growing crops and for market gardening.

About this item

Massey University
Reference: Les Molloy, Soils in the New Zealand landscape: the living mantle. Lincoln: New Zealand Society of Soil Science, 1988, plates 12.11; 12.10 (inset)
Photographs by Quentin Christie

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How to cite this page:

Allan Hewitt. 'Soils', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 1-Mar-09
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/soils/7/5