Anthroscapes and anthropogenic soils in North-Western Sardinia: The soils with calcrete horizon in the Alghero Area (Italy)

Abstract

We describe the soils and landscapes studied in the area of the Sella e Mosca vineyard farm (Alghero, north-western Sardinia). In the study area the original soils and land use have been deeply modified, creating a new landscape and anthropogenic soils. In recent years a wide area of the farms has been subjected to heavy reclamation works, especially through the removal of a shallow and thick petrocalcic horizon. The purpose of the intervention was the reduction of the negative effects of calcium carbonate on vine physiology and the increase of rooting depth and available soil moisture. The traditional rainfed olive and cereals crops were extensively substituted by vineyards. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011.