Zambia - Atlas of our Changing Environment

Soils

The soils of Zambia can be classified using the three agro-ecological zones. The main soils are loamy-sand or sand Alfisols, interspersed with clay. Figure 1.5 shows soil types in Zambia. Region I covers 20 per cent of the country and is the driest and most prone to drought. Its soils contain low levels of organic matter, nutrient reserves and high acidity levels. Region II covers 36 per cent of the country. Its soils are made up of the Kalahari sands which have little agricultural potential and are mainly covered in woodland. The soils in region III, which cover 44 per cent of the country, tend to be highly weathered and leached, and highly acidic.

Cracked soil due to drought Marc’s pix, 2007

TANZANIA

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Region III ( Above 1000mm)

MALAWI

Region IIa ( 800 - 1000mm)

Region III ( Above 1000mm)

Region Ia ( 800 - 1000mm)

Region IIb ( 800 - 1000mm)

ANGOLA

MOZAMBIQUE

Region Ia ( 800 - 1000mm)

Clay Coarse Loamy ND Sandy Silt Variable

NAMIBIA

ZIMBABWE

Water body

BOTSWANA

Figure 1.5 Soil types in Zambia Environmental Council of Zambia, 2008

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Chapter 1- Over view