The concept of the Pleistocene periglacial cover beds in central Europe: A review

In low mountain areas of central Europe, Pleistocene periglacial conditions and relevant processes have led to the formation of cover beds. In general, Holocene soils are not developed in bedrock, but they have formed in periglacial cover beds. Their occurrence and characteristics control the spatial distribution of soils, and thus periglacial sediments are a useful tool for soil mapping and soil survey. The concept of periglacial cover beds distinguishes four main layers: topmost, upper, middle and basal periglacial cover bed. The upper and middle layers contain loess, whereas the basal one consists entirely of bedrock. The loess content causes an increase of site-specific soil ecological quality in comparison to soils formed directly on bedrock. The occurrence and characteristics of the cover beds is reviewed, summarizing the present state-of-the-art.