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The soil acidification indicator is an
impact indicator which measures the acidification of soils at
selected site in South Africa (and therefore Mpumalanga province).
The degree of acidity of soil can be expressed as a pH (proportion
Hydrogen) value and affects nearly all soil properties (chemical,
biological and physical) and controls plant nutrient availability
and microbial reactions in the soils. Soil pH also affects the
rigor of natural vegetation growth and determines which cultivated
crops will thrive or deteriorate in a given
area.
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| Assessment of
Data |
It is clear from the data that most of the
province (67%) has a pH of between 5.2 and 6.5, which is slightly
acidic. Approximately 2% is considered to be alkaline, with a pH of
between 7.3 and 8.4. The area of greatest acidity (pH <5.2)
comprises approximately 8% of the province and is well correlated to
the areas afforested under commercial species, see map below.
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