Understanding mountain soils : a contribution from mountain areas to the International Year of Soils 2015

A volcanic tuff rock known as cangahua (Ecuador) or tepetate (Mexico) is found throughout the Andes. Problems have arisen as the layers of light but fragile soil that once covered the tuff have been lost for both natural (environmental) reasons and because of over-cultivation. When the soil is gone, the tuff is impermeable and sterile. Now, a project in Ecuador has determined that the tuff itself can be reclaimed and is supporting a programme that sends bulldozers to the tuff regions to break up the rock and create a new fertile soil.