4.3.3 Alfisols
This soil order can be found only in the northeast region of
Libya such as: Al Marj, and in the Plains of Al Jabal Al
Akhdar”Green Mountain“. Below is the main classified
suborder of these soils in Libya:
• (Xeralfs): These soils are known in the Mediterranean
region as “Terrarossa” and are distinguished by their
reddish color patterns. They are also characterized by an
Ochric surface horizon and a rate of base saturation at
least 35% of the total saturation rate. In Libya, these soils
are present in the region of Al Jabal Al Akhdar “Green
Mountain” in the areas that receive more than 350 mm of
precipitation per year. These areas are considered within
the semiarid to semihumid regions and are covered with
forest vegetation known as Mediterranean flora. The soil
profile of these soils is relatively developed compared to
other soils in Libya. It is also mostly deep, and in some
areas, it may reach as deep as 3 meters. However, in other
areas, we find it is characterized by the presence of a
shallow soil profile. These shallow soils are often found
in sloping areas or those that are subject to severe soil
erosion by water. Xeralfs are also characterized by the
presence of the Argillic horizon with a polygonal mass
structure. In addition to their red color, these soils are
distinguished by their clay texture, where the percentage
of clay particles reaches more than 35%, and thus their
ability to hold water is high.
As for their other properties, these soils are mostly low
in salinity and gypsum, but they differ in the extent to
Fig. 4.12 Haplargids (This picture was taken from Benghazi Plain by
Prof. Ben Mahmoud, it is a clayey textured, very deep to deep soil,
Reddish brown, non-saline with low content of CaCO 3 . It has Ochric
and argillic horizon, present land use:cultivated by wheat)
Fig. 4.13 Rhodoxeralfs (This picture was taken from Al Marj in the
Al Jabal Al Akhdar by prof. Ben Mahmoud, it is a clayey textured,very
deep soil, Red in color, non-saline with low to moderate content of
CaCO 3 . It has the Ochric and Argillic horizon, present land use:
cultivated by wheat)
Table 4.12 Classification of Xeralfs (Ben Mahmoud 2013)
Order
Suborder
Great group
Alfisols
Xeralfs
Rhodoxeralfs
Natrixeralfs
Durixeralfs
Haploxeralfs
60
M. M. Elaalem et al.
This soil order can be found only in the northeast region of
Libya such as: Al Marj, and in the Plains of Al Jabal Al
Akhdar”Green Mountain“. Below is the main classified
suborder of these soils in Libya:
• (Xeralfs): These soils are known in the Mediterranean
region as “Terrarossa” and are distinguished by their
reddish color patterns. They are also characterized by an
Ochric surface horizon and a rate of base saturation at
least 35% of the total saturation rate. In Libya, these soils
are present in the region of Al Jabal Al Akhdar “Green
Mountain” in the areas that receive more than 350 mm of
precipitation per year. These areas are considered within
the semiarid to semihumid regions and are covered with
forest vegetation known as Mediterranean flora. The soil
profile of these soils is relatively developed compared to
other soils in Libya. It is also mostly deep, and in some
areas, it may reach as deep as 3 meters. However, in other
areas, we find it is characterized by the presence of a
shallow soil profile. These shallow soils are often found
in sloping areas or those that are subject to severe soil
erosion by water. Xeralfs are also characterized by the
presence of the Argillic horizon with a polygonal mass
structure. In addition to their red color, these soils are
distinguished by their clay texture, where the percentage
of clay particles reaches more than 35%, and thus their
ability to hold water is high.
As for their other properties, these soils are mostly low
in salinity and gypsum, but they differ in the extent to
Fig. 4.12 Haplargids (This picture was taken from Benghazi Plain by
Prof. Ben Mahmoud, it is a clayey textured, very deep to deep soil,
Reddish brown, non-saline with low content of CaCO 3 . It has Ochric
and argillic horizon, present land use:cultivated by wheat)
Fig. 4.13 Rhodoxeralfs (This picture was taken from Al Marj in the
Al Jabal Al Akhdar by prof. Ben Mahmoud, it is a clayey textured,very
deep soil, Red in color, non-saline with low to moderate content of
CaCO 3 . It has the Ochric and Argillic horizon, present land use:
cultivated by wheat)
Table 4.12 Classification of Xeralfs (Ben Mahmoud 2013)
Order
Suborder
Great group
Alfisols
Xeralfs
Rhodoxeralfs
Natrixeralfs
Durixeralfs
Haploxeralfs
60
M. M. Elaalem et al.