Soil landscapes in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Soil surveys have been carried out in Peninsular Malaysia since the latter part of the last century. Soil series have been mainly established in the past based on parent material and geomorphology. Recent studies have shown that parent material and geomorphology play very important roles in soil formation in Peninsular Malaysia. The paper presents a series of cross-sections of landscapes showing the relationship between parent material, topography, geomorphology and soil type. These studies indicate that in the upland areas of in situ soils the parent material, elevation and position in the landscape are the dominant factors influencing soil formation. In the lowlands where alluvial soils dominate, the geomorphic surface and the groundwater table determine the soil type. These different landscapes greatly influence the use of these soils for agriculture.