"Terra Preta de Indio" (Amazonian Dark Earths, earlier also called Terra Preta do Indio or Indian Black Earth) is the local name for certain dark earths in the Brazilian Amazon region. These dark earths occur, however, in several countries in South America (Brazil, Ecuador and Peru) and possibly beyond.
As ecologically rich as the rainforest may appear, the soil it stands in is unsuited to farming largely a result of the incessant rain washing away all nutrients. But those pockets of soil that are Terra Preta, are suitable for farming and thus form an out of place patch of fertility in an otherwise harsh environment. In fact, it has the ability to maintain nutrient levels over hundreds of years. According to Bruno Glaser, a chemist at the University of Bayreuth, "If you read the textbooks, it shouldn't be there." According to a study led by Dirse Kern of the Museu Goeldi in Belem, Terra Preta is "not associated with a particular parent soil type or environmental condition", suggesting it was not produced by natural processes...
thanks Fred Nerks!
Rainforest Researchers Hit Paydirt (Farming 11K Years Ago in South America)
University Of Vermont | 8-29-2002 | Lynda Majarian
Posted on 08/30/2002 10:11:59 AM PDT by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/742036/posts
amusing/bemusing oldie turned up in the “dirt” keyword:
“ENDANGERED” dirt. Enviro-whackos have found something new to stop building.
Fox news | 11/21/03 | Fox news
Posted on 11/21/2003 5:05:29 PM PST by Rightone
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1026807/posts
The Ukrainians were not happy.
I have seen wheat fields from the train that are so large they disappear over the horizon. Quite a sight.