Pedodiversity and Organic Matter Stock of Soils Developed on Sandstone Formations in the Northern Apennines (Italy)

Pedodiversity is considered the cornerstone of biodiversity. This work aimed to (1) assess pedodiversity according vegetation, topographic factors, and lithology (2) identify major soil-forming factors on soil organic matter (SOM) stock at a 0–30 cm depth. These goals were reached using data from 147 georeferenced profiles distributed along 400–1000 m (≤1000) 1000–2134 (>1000) altitudinal gradients in northern part Apennine chain Italy. Soils showed mainly weak or incipient development (i.e., Entisols Inceptisols), which could be attributed sand-based lithology, high slope gradients, low SOM accumulation rates, promote erosion processes. However, higher was observed >1000 than ≤1000 m, likely due vegetation cover diversity climate variability; Spodosols Mollisols also found. A greater found seemed not affect amounts, suggesting influence content compared vegetation. Considering ecosystem conservation, spatial critical basis for protection resources itself mountain regions.