Variability of soils in urban and periurban areas in Northern Germany

Soils of urban areas are mixtures of old and very young soils. In the town of Eckernfِrde Luvisols, Arenosols, Gleysols, and Histosols developed from natural parent materials are widespread in the outer areas and Urbic Anthrosols occur especially in the inner city area. The Urbic Anthrosols are very heterogeneous with a wide range of ecologically important properties (e.g., water holding capacity, aeration, nutrient supply, heavy metal contents) resulting from lithogenesis and pedogenesis. Some examples of this soil unit are described. Specific characteristics of urban areas are lowering of the ground water table, soil surface sealing and mixing of anthropogenic materials (e.g., brick and mortar debris, garbage, rubble, ashes) with the natural parent materials. The soil pattern of urban areas is strongly influenced by human activities.