Leslie Massey
Austrian soil is influenced by the country's landscape and climate, which are significantly shaped by its main geological features. The soil in Austria's wine-growing regions is particularly important, as it influences the choice of grape variety and vineyard management. The Austrian Soil Cartography has created a soil map that presents the soil conditions of Austria's agricultural land. This map summarises areas with similar soil and site characteristics, known as soil forms. The chemical make-up of the soil determines its structure, influencing the movement of water, air, and nutrients to plants. In addition, the country's croplands, grasslands, forests, and settlements contain 300 Mt of organic soil carbon, with peatlands having the highest density.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soil organic carbon (SOC) | 300 Mt |
| SOC density in peatlands | 220 t C/ha |
| SOC density in forest soils | 106 t C/ha |
| Area covered by peatlands | 2% of the country |
| Area covered by forest soils | 48% of the country |
| Main geological features | The highlands of the Waldviertel and Mühlviertel regions, the foothills of the Alps, and the Alps proper |
| Rock composition | Igneous (magmatic) rocks, intrusive (plutonic) rocks, extrusive (volcanic) rocks, sedimentary rocks |
| Examples of consolidated rocks | Acidic granites, gneisses, schists, quartzites, amphibolites, serpentinites, basalts, marbles, limestone, conglomerates, sandstones, volcanic tuffs |
| Examples of unconsolidated rocks | Calcareous loess, sandy gravels, rock debris, sandy and clayey silts |
| Soil structure | Determined by the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay particles |
| Factors influencing soil structure | Texture, density, water retention, and chemical properties |
| Humus content | A simple parameter for assessing soil quality |
| Optimum humus content | Important for sustainable agricultural production |
| Soil map | Available from the Federal research and training center for Forest, Natural Hazards and Landscape |
| Soil types | Calcareous rocky brown earth, Chernosem |
| Soil functions | Provides food and raw materials, guarantees drinking water quality, and serves as a habitat for various creatures |
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What You'll Learn
Austrian winegrowing regions
The Niederösterreich region is the largest wine-growing area in Austria, with 26,732 ha of vineyards and eight wine-growing sub-regions. It has three major climatic zones: the Weinviertel in the north, the region along the river Danube, and the warmer Pannonian part in the southeast. The Weinviertel DAC is known for its fresh, peppery Grüner Veltliner, which makes up 44% of the region's wine production, alongside other varieties such as Riesling, Welschriesling, and Zweigelt. The region's Danubian areas of Wachau, Kremstal, Kamptal, Traisental, and Wagram are known for their white wines.
Burgenland, located to the east of the country, has 11,538 ha of vineyards. The region is known for its traditional Viennese "Heuriger" wine taverns and its principle grape variety, Gemischter Satz. Other varieties grown in Burgenland include Riesling, Chardonnay, and Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc).
Steiermark, or Styria, is a wine-growing region in southern Austria with 5,109 ha of vineyards. The region is known for its fresh and elegant style of region-typical wines, including its most abundant wine, Welschriesling. The three Styrian wine-growing regions offer their own local specialties, such as Schilcher Rosé in the west and Sauvignon Blanc and Gelber Muskateller in the south. The region is also known for its principle grape variety, Blauer Wildbacher, and its mineral-rich shell limestone and black earth soils.
Overall, Austrian wines tend to exhibit an overarching characteristic that distinguishes them from wines produced elsewhere, with an aromatic freshness even when the grapes have reached full physiological ripeness. The country's cool climate and soil structures also contribute to the unique characteristics of its wines.
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Austrian soil map
The Austrian Soil Cartography map presents the soil conditions of Austria's agricultural land. It summarises areas with similar soil and site characteristics, known as 'soil forms'. Each soil form area on the map contains a number that corresponds to the relevant soil type. For example, the designation 18kFB indicates that soil type 18 is a calcareous rocky brown earth. The numbers of the soil types are specific to their respective mapping areas and do not correspond to the names of soil types in neighbouring areas.
The Agricultural Soil Map of Austria distinguishes six classes of soil depth: three primary and three secondary. The primary classes are "shallow" (<30cm), "medium" (30cm-70cm), and "deep" (>70cm). The secondary classes are "shallow to medium", "medium to deep", and "highly variable". Soil depth refers to the depth of unconsolidated soil layers and is restricted by the occurrence of solid rock or hardened layers.
The Austrian Research Centre for Forests has also developed an agricultural soil map, which has been fully digitised and is now available as a user-friendly digital soil information system. This map can be used for agricultural consulting, research, and spatial planning. Two new thematic maps, 'Nitrate retention capacity' and 'Useable field capacity', have also been incorporated into this agricultural soil map.
In addition, a map of soil organic carbon stocks to a depth of 30 cm has been created based on the Agricultural Soil Survey and the Austrian Forest Soil Survey. This map was Austria's contribution to the FAO Global Soil Organic Carbon Map project.
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Soil science and protection
The Austrian Soil Science Society (ASSS) has played a crucial role in this regard by developing educational programmes and workshops for students, centred on the beauty and importance of soil. These workshops, such as "Boden macht Schule," encourage students to explore and interact with soil through hands-on activities, scientific experiments, and observations of soil animals. The ASSS also provides educators with the tools and resources necessary to conduct soil-related lessons and workshops, fostering a broader understanding of healthy soils and their significance in society.
Additionally, Austria has made significant strides in mapping and understanding its soil organic carbon (SOC) status quo. By compiling data from various sources, researchers have created a comprehensive map of SOC stocks in the upper 30 cm of different land uses, including croplands, grasslands, forests, and settlements. This information is invaluable for evaluating climate change mitigation measures, as SOC sequestration is crucial in the discussion of terrestrial carbon sinks and crop production. Austria's geographic heterogeneity, with varying climatic conditions, geology, and topography, contributes to regional differences in SOC stocks.
The Austrian Program for Environmentally Sound Agriculture (ÖPUL) has also played a role in soil protection. By comparing humus data from before ÖPUL's introduction (1991-1995) with more recent data (2008-2012), researchers found a positive trend in humus content across all regions. This increase in humus content is beneficial for sustainable agricultural production and is in the interest of farmers practising humus-conserving cultivation.
Furthermore, institutions like the Federal Research Centre for Forest and the Federal Environment Protection Agency actively contribute to soil protection efforts. They maintain a forest soil database with thousands of soil profiles and analyses, providing valuable insights for decision-making and protection initiatives. Soil protection is a responsibility shared by the nine counties (Laender) in Austria, each tasked with safeguarding the soil within their respective regions.
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Soil organic carbon
SOC is the main component of soil organic matter (SOM), which is the portion of organic residues in the soil in various stages of decay. SOM contributes significantly to soil health by retaining large amounts of water and nutrients, which helps maintain and increase soil biodiversity, improve water and nutrient availability, and reduce erosion and leaching. The presence of SOM also has a positive impact on the soil's ability to store carbon, acting as a sink for the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.
The accumulation and decay of organic matter in croplands affect SOC levels. Vegetation indices have a direct correlation with SOC, as healthy vegetation provides a consistent supply of organic matter that stocks after decomposition. Forest ecosystems, in particular, are considered to have a high carbon density and are significant carbon sinks.
The preservation of SOC is an important aspect of sustainable agriculture and forestry, and the implementation of sustainable soil management (SSM) practices can help increase SOC levels. SSM practices involve targeting increased organic matter inputs and protecting existing soil carbon. SOC sequestration has the potential to compensate for hard-to-abate emissions and boost investment in soil health, sustainable development, and farmers' livelihoods.
In Austria, the issue of soil fertility and protection has gained prominence since the country's accession to the EU in 1995. Measures such as greening, seeding on mulch, direct seeding, and organic farming have contributed to improved soil fertility, humus formation, and reduced erosion in arable soils. The Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions, and Water Management plays a crucial role in soil research and the development of guidelines for the careful use of soil as a resource.
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Soil structure
The quality of soil structure is crucial for fertile soil, which provides food and raw materials, ensures the quality of drinking water, and serves as a habitat for numerous organisms. However, most forms of cultivation can lead to a decline in soil structure due to mechanical mixing, which compacts and shears aggregates while filling pore spaces. This process can also expose organic matter to a faster rate of decay and oxidation. Furthermore, continued cultivation and traffic can result in the formation of compacted, impermeable layers, or 'pans', within the soil profile.
In Austria, the concept of 'terroir' is significant in the context of viticulture. While there is no definitive answer, 'terroir' encompasses not only the soil but also the climate and type of viticulture or vinification. The country's steep slopes, valleys, rolling hills, and terraces contribute to the charm of its landscapes. Beneath the surface, the rocks play a crucial role in influencing the choice of grape variety and vineyard management, even though they remain largely hidden from view.
To maintain and improve soil health, it is essential to consider the humus content of the soil. Humus-conserving cultivation is in the interest of farmers as it serves as a parameter for assessing soil quality. In Austria, the Austrian Program for Environmentally Sound Agriculture (ÖPUL) has positively impacted humus content in the soil, with an increase of 0.10 to 0.35% since its introduction.
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Frequently asked questions
The Austrian Soil Cartography is a soil map that presents the soil conditions of Austria's agricultural land. It summarises areas with similar soil and site characteristics, and these mapping units are called soil forms.
The soil in Austria is made up of organic matter, silt, sand, and clay. It also contains minerals such as granite, which is composed of feldspar, quartz, and mica, and limestone, which is composed of calcite.
Soil in Austria provides food and raw materials, guarantees the quality of drinking water, and serves as a habitat for numerous creatures. It also plays a crucial role in wine production, influencing the choice of grape variety and vineyard management.
Humus is a simple parameter for assessing the quality of Austrian soil. It is organic matter that improves soil structure, increases water retention, and enhances nutrient availability for plants. Optimum humus content is essential for sustainable agricultural production.
