Two lowland tropical spodosols from the Fiji Islands: first report from small islands

Spodosols, one of the major orders of soils in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Taxonomy, are believed to be formed by down-profile movement of colloidal humic materials complexed with aluminum and iron. Conditions favoring formation of these soils are normally cool and humid climates, but some tropical Spodosols have been observed in continental and island situations, mainly at higher elevations. Here we report on observation of two Spodosols at low elevations in Fiji, the first such report for the South Pacific islands. Soil field descriptions and associated laboratory data are presented, along with interpretation of data in terms of soil genesis, classification, and land use. Soils are classified as an Aquic Haplorthod, coarse-loamy, siliceous, isohyperthermic (from Drekeiwaila, Viti Levu) and an Oxyaquic Ultic Haplorthod, sandy over clayey, siliceous, isohyperthermic (from Lovonivia, Vanua Levu).