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Gewählte Master / Diploma Thesis:

Matthias Strahlhofer (2019): The effects of soil age and climate on physical properties of agricultural soils on the Galápagos Islands.
Master / Diploma Thesis - Institut für Bodenforschung (IBF), BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur, pp 105. UB BOKU obvsg

Data Source: ZID Abstracts

Abstract:: The Galápagos Islands constitute a fascinating ecosystem, with matchless geographical and biological conditions interesting for investigators of all disciplines. The unique flora and fauna once upon a time inspired Charles Darwin for writing his famous Evolution Theory. Nevertheless, the predominantly volcanic soils of the archipelago have still not been well studied till today and represent a focus of the ongoing investigation carried out by the Institute of Soil Science of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna in cooperation with the Galápagos National Park Management overseas. More specifically, the present Master Thesis focuses on the physical properties of the agricultural soils on Galápagos Islands. The volcanic activity on the western part of Galápagos causes an south-eastward drift of the whole archipelago, resulting in an detectable soil age gradient between and within the islands. In addition, climate and especially precipitation regimes are observed to change with altitude, indicating an existing climate gradient. Therefore, physical soil parameters like the aggregate stability, water-holding capacity and soil texture (just to name a few) are expected to change along this gradients or - at least - might show some particular distribution. The aim of the present thesis is to demonstrate the relationship between these two gradients and some chosen physical soil properties by the means of statistical analysis and the interpretation of the cumulative dataset. The methodical approach and practical part focuses on expanding the already existing dataset of the Islands, adding data of the accomplished texture analysis and water drop penetration time. Finally, the sought practical use and expected outcome of the present work is to provide data concerning the physical fertility of the agricultural soils on Galápagos Islands and to derive recommendations for irrigation and soil management practices.; Beurteilende(r): Zehetner Franz; 1.Mitwirkender: Gerzabek Martin; 2.Mitwirkender: Mentler Axel