PLAN DE TRABAJO ANUAL 2022 DEPARTAMENTO ARCHIVO NOTARIAL

Several soil investigation have been made in the project area , based on different soil classifications. They all give an overview over the present soil types and are based on a large scale, 1: 100 000. The soil catena along a hillside and possible changes due to human activities are not taken into consideration (Mulla & McBratney 2000). A soil survey in the scale of 1: 500 000 has been made within the Syria Land Classification and Soil survey Project, a technical assistance project of the United States Agency for International Development (U.S.A.I.D) and the Syrian Arab Republic. The study bases on the interpretation of false color Landsat TM images and extensive ground checking. The study is amplified by soil analysis of chemical and physical soil properties. The classification is based on the USDA soil classification. The area is differentiated into various soilscape units (Fig.4.13) which takes into account the geomorphological setting besides the general pedological characteristics. These are described further in the following paragraphs. The report gives also short recommendations on the potential of the soil for agriculture.

In 1997 and 1998 the effort at ICARDA was undertaken to relate these soilscape units (according to the USDA Soil Taxonomy Classification) to the soil classes such as they are used on the FAO-UNESCO world soil map with the revised legend of 1988 (FAO 1988, FAO-ISRIC-ISSS 1998). The FAO soil map is based on the principle of diagnostic horizons which are in relation to the soil forming process and to management purposes.

Climatic parameters are not included in the classification (FAO –ISRIC-ISSS 1998).

Fig. 4.13 Soilscape units of the project area (FAO –ISRIC-ISSS 1998)

4.3 Soilscape units 100

A third study was done through Russian scientists end of the eighties, based on the classification of the former USSR. In general they characterized the main features (Lengiprovodkhoz 1987) of the soils in the steppe area as having a high content of carbonate and the presence of rock debris in most soil profiles. The depth of soil formation is not exceeding 0.6 to 1 m. Often the soils are truncated to a depth of up to 0.3 m. Loamy soils with a well defined heavy texture are predominant. The content of humus is low (2 to 2.5% ).

Main soilscape units (A12d, A13a,A11a to d, A31b, E31b, E31c) in the central part of the project area comprise soil units of the USDA taxonomic group of Aridisols (Calciorthids and Cambiorthids) and of Entisols (Torriorthents) (Fig. 4.13). Per definition Calciorthids have a calcic horizon within the 1 m of the surface and are calcic in all horizons. Like most Aridisols they are not saturated with water for more than 90 consecutive days in a year (Soil Survey Staff 1987). The organic content is low, below 0.6% . They do not have reddish peds in the lower parts of the soil profile. Neither do they have a horizon within the 1 m of the profile with a content of over 20% of durnodes in brittle matrix. Lithic Calciorthids are shallower than the Typic Calciorthids. Typic Cambiorthids differ from Calciorthids in having as a cambic diagnostic horizon. A cambic horizon shows evidence of alteration in a regular decrease of organic carbon, in cracks below the surface of 1 cm or more width, stronger chroma in the lower horizons and evidence of removal of carbonates. The Typic Cambiorthids on the other hand have a darker color and are developed on Quaternary sediments with gravels of more recent deposits. The surface layer is thicker about 17 cm. The B horizon is also slightly thicker and is more yellowish brown . These soils are stonefree compared to the ones, mentioned in the upper paragraph, but the stoniness on the surface can exceed one percent. In a revised taxonomy Cambiorthids and Calciorthids are referred to as Calcids and Cambids (Southard 2000).

The Typic Torriorthents belong to the group of Orthents within the group of Entisols that is a group with mineral soils with low pedogenic development. Torriorthents are mainly found in desertic environment (Southard 2000) according to the torric regime (desertic regime). They are found on steep slopes often together with rock outcrops (Southard. 2000). Table 4.7 describes the main characteristics of the soilscape units found within the project area.

A12d A51a A31b E51c A11a E51b A11e A11c SC

Limestone Lacustrinedeposits Fluvial andlacustrine beds Limestones Limestones Limestonesintercalatedflintbeds,gypsum layers Limestones,gravel deposits Limestonesand colluvial,alluvial fandeposits Lithology

Paleogene Holocene Neogene Paleogene,Neogene Paleogene,Neogene Paleogene,Neogene QaternaryPaleogene Paleogene,Neogene Geology

Shallow fine-texturedsoils, very gravelly onsoil surface Fine-textured, imper-fectly drained saline soils Medium textured stickysoils, petrogypsicsubstratum Very shallow finetextured soils with sub-rounded gravel within thesoils, high stone cover Fine textured deep soilswith a sticky firm Bhorizon Fine textured soils oftenalternating with rockoutcrops with a high stonecover Medium to fine-textured,gravelly and stony soils ofgravels deposits andlimestones Loamy, calcareous deepsoils often with a soilcrust, often intercalatedwith pebble beds at C,horizons not clearlydiscernable Description

Medium-height hills Flat lacustrine basin Gentle undulatingplains Upper slopes andsummits of theSouthern Palmyridesmountains Gently undulatingintermontane basins Slightly undulating Undulating plateaushaped desert plains Piedmont plain,alluvial fans andvery dissected lowhills, badlands ongently slopes facingAl Dauw Landscape

Steep, verysteep Very gentle Very gentle Steep Very gentle,gentle Gentle Gentle Very gentle,gentle Slope

Abundant No Very few Abundant Very few Abundant Few Few Stoniness

Shallow Deep Deep Shallow Deep Shallow Deep Deep Soil depth

Road Fruqlosto Quasr al Hir xxx South ofSabkha Mouhand Tadmor On the roadfromKhnaifesss xxx xxx Dry river westof roadDamascus-Tadmor Quasr al Hir,slope nearbydry riverbedcrossing roadMihinn/Quaryatain Typical soilprofile

High potentialfor rangeland Not suitable,saline Suitable torangeland, butsalinisation Not suitable forrainfed orirrigatedagriculture With irrigationmedium to highpotential Very low High potentialfor rangeland,irrigation ofcotton, legumesand non-rosaceous trees Not suitable forrainfed orirrigatedagriculture Soil suitability Table 4.7Soilscape units and their characteristics within the research area (U.S.A.I.D.1982)

102 4.3 Soilscape units

A typical soil report of a deeper Calciorthid (Table 4.8) is described in the Russian report of a study within the steppe area (Lengiprodhoz 1987). The Russian soil classification is not based on a hierarchical structure with a key of diagnostic horizons such as the FAO System. It is based on the recognition of the soil forming process (Spaargaaren 2000).

Table 4.8 Typical soil profile of deeper Calciorthid nearby Quasr Al Hir (Lengiprodhoz 1987)

0.5 to 2 cm Thin loamy-layered crust

A 0 to 8 (12) cm Pale yellow with cinnamon shade or brownish with grayish shade, loam, lumpy-silty, calcareous, abundance of thin roots in the upper portion (2 to 3cm) below drastic diminution B₁Ca 8 (12) to 30 (38) cm Pale yellow-brown or cinnamon shade, loam,

lumpy-fine nutty, calcareous, few large roots.

B₂Ca 30 (38)to 65 (80) cm Brown or cinnamon, generally with distinct reddish shade, mostly heavy and medium loam, fine porous, dense, calcareous with abundance of dingy white soft spots, transition to other horizons clear.

BCca 65(80) to 100(105) cm Brown or reddish-brown loam, angular lumpy, medium skeleton content, floury calcium carbonate pendants or under faces of rock debris and pebbles , few roots, transition abrupt

C_ca 100 (150) cm or deeper B Mostly proluvial, alluvial-proluvial deposits of pebble beds, rock debris, fine stone with loam or sandy loam filler, calcareous, frequently well cemented by calcium carbonate, floury pendants of calcium cuts, on the under the faces of stones, sometimes local inclusions of varigrained gypsum, no roots

A typical soil profile of this soil scape unit (Fig. C-10) is found nearby Mihinn, within a wadi crossing the road Mihinn - Quaryatain (No.3 Fig. 4.3). A reddish brown, sticky firm horizon with layers of gravel are presented within the about 2 m deep profile. The soil

surface is covered with small stones. The soil profile is found within gentle sloping hills.