To investigate vertical differentiation of soils developed on granites under the temperate forest zone in Korea, five profiles were examined with respect to morphological features, physicochemical, free oxidic and clay mineralogical properties. The following conclusions may be drawn : 1) The soils examined varies from Red/Yellow forest soil to Brown forest soil as elevation increases. 2) There was a tendency that the values of porosity, permeability, moisture adsorption at a certain suction, pH(NaF), P-retention and total carbon increased with decreasing mean annual temperature. On the other hand, the values of solid phases and bulk density decreased with decreasing temperature. 3) The values of Feo/Fed or free iron activity also increased with decreasing temperature. However, the content acid crystallity of free iron oxides increased with increasing temperature. 4) The composition of soil clay minerals of the soils showed a tendency of more advanced weathering in Red/Yellow forest soil at low elevations.
