Base-richness


In ecology, base-richness is the level of chemical bases in water or soil, such as calcium or magnesium ions. Many organisms prefer base-rich environments.
Chemical bases are alkalis, hence base-rich environments are either neutral or alkaline. Because acid-rich environments have few bases, they are dominated by environmental acids. There is a positive correlation between base-richness and calcium, magnesium, and carbonates, and a negative correlation with pH, Iron, Manganese, and Aluminum. However, the relationship between base-richness and acidity is not a rigid one - changes in the levels of acids may significantly change acidity without affecting base-richness.
Base-rich terrestrial environments are characteristic of areas where underlying rocks are limestone. Seawater is also base-rich, so maritime and marine environments are themselves base-rich.
Base-poor environments are characteristic of areas where underlying rocks are sandstone or granite, or where the water is derived directly from rainfall.
There is no correlation between base-richness and availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Examples of base-rich environments