ABSTRACT
Role of vegetation ƒ In the mountains of Europe and also on the plains of high latitudes, Podzols are seen in zones corresponding to a vegetation that provides an acidifying litter, be it a dense moor with ericaceous plants (Rhododendron ferrugineum, Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus…) or a combination of coniferous woods + dense ericaceous undergrowth. In the Far North, Podzols correspond to coniferous forest (taiga). In tropical environment, true Podzols seem to be independent of the vegetation (Bravard 1988; Dosso 1991). But the time periods are long; changes in vegetation could have taken place and the Podzols might not be in equilibrium with the present plant cover (Schwartz 1988a, b). In Amazonia, they are linked to sclerophyllous (evergreen with leathery, shiny leaves) species (Dubroeucq and Volkoff 1998).
