Surface water gley

Poorly drained with slowly permeable subsurface layer that impedes drainage
Subsoil dense or with high clay content
Seasonal prolonged waterlogging of top 40cm causing mottling

Photograph of a surface-water gley soil profile showing dark compacted topsoil over pale grey and brown mottled subsoil layers affected by seasonal waterlogging. Reed vegetation is visible at the surface above the pit. A measuring scale marked in centimetres stands vertically along the left side of the profile.

Common in the south west and in border counties

Map of Ireland titled “Surface-water Gley Soils.” Green highlighted areas show where surface-water gley soils are dominant, while light blue shading indicates areas where they also occur. These poorly drained soils are widespread across western, southern, and central parts of Ireland. County boundaries are outlined in grey, with a legend distinguishing dominant and associated areas.