The Karakteristik Morfologi Dan Sifat Fisika Tanah Pada Berbagai Kelas Kelerengan Di Kawasan Bokimaruru Desa Sagea Halmahera Tengah Indonesia

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize soil morphology and physical properties across different slope classes in the Bokimaruru area, Sagea Village, Central Halmahera, Indonesia. A descriptive-comparative survey approach was applied to three soil profiles representing 0–3% (MSPI), 30–45% (MSPII), and 15–30% (MSPIII) slope classes. Soil morphological characteristics, including color, structure, consistency, and texture, were observed across soil horizons, while bulk density, particle density, porosity, and permeability were determined at a depth of 0–30 cm. The results showed considerable variation in soil morphology among profiles and horizons. MSPI and most horizons of MSPII were dominated by clay, whereas MSPIII had relatively higher sand contents. Bulk density ranged from 0.56 to 0.72 g cm⁻³ and was classified as low according to the criteria used. Particle density ranged from 1.19 to 1.25 g cm⁻³, with low to moderate classifications. Soil porosity ranged from 47.05 to 57.06%, classified as moderately good to good, whereas permeability ranged from 0.49 to 2.14 cm h⁻¹, classified as slow to moderate. The observed variations did not show a consistent linear pattern with slope gradient, indicating that soil physical properties were influenced by the interaction of texture, structure, pore characteristics, and topographic conditions. These findings highlight the importance of a toposequence-based approach for understanding spatial soil variability and supporting site-specific soil and water conservation management in hilly landscapes.

Keywords: soil morphology; soil physical properties; slope gradient; toposequence; Bokimaruru