Soil temperature regimes from different latitudes on a subtropical Island (Tenerife, Spain)

We studied the soil temperature regimes of the volcanic island of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain), which is situated in the Atlantic Ocean between 27 and 28° N. The island is 2034 km² in size and its highest point is 3718 m above sea level. Direct temperature measurements were taken during a 4-yr period at 103 sites, at a depth of 50 cm, in altitudinal sequences from the north and south slopes of the island. In contrast to continental situations, soil temperature regimes from all latitudes are found within a small area of the island. Seven of the nine regimes considered by Soil Taxonomy have been identified-hyperthermic, thermic, mesic, isohyperthermic, isothermic, isomesic, and cryic-and are widely distributed according to elevation and orientation. In the mid-altitude zone on the north face, which is influenced by the trade winds, regimes typical of tropical regions were found, while above 3000-m elevation, a high-latitude regime was also described. The wide diversity of soil temperatures in such a small area is explained by the variability of a range of factors, including elevation, the orientation of the mountain systems, and the influence of the trade winds. In addition to recording the presence of temperature regimes from different latitudes in a subtropical island, we documented a cryic regime at this latitude for the first time.