Multivariate Evaluation of Pedogenetic Indicators: Limits and Potentials of Rare Earth Elements in Mountain Treeline Soils

Vegetation strongly influences soil formation, yet its effect on Rare Earth Element (REE) distribution and fractionation across treeline ecotones remains insufficiently con-strained. We investigated how contrasting plant communities, Vaccinium myrtillus heathlands and Picea abies forests, affect pedogenetic pathways and REE behavior in sandstone-derived soils of the Northern Apennines (Italy). Six soil profiles were charac-terized for bulk geochemistry, selective Fe–Al extractions, particle-size distribution, and REE concentrations. Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering identified pedogenetic drivers and horizon groupings. Under Vaccinium myrtillus, thick acidic organic horizons promoted organo-metal complexation and incipient podzolization, whereas Picea abies soils showed thinner or-ganic layers and enhanced mineral weathering, leading to Bw development with higher silt–clay contents and elevated Al/N ratios. These pathways were captured by Fe–Al indicators and the SpodicIndex. REE distributions showed vegetation-related differences in surface horizons and Eu–Ce anomalies but did not reproduce Fe–Al pedogenetic clusters, reflecting strong parent-material control. The coexistence of podzolic and cambic pathways at the treeline highlights pro-nounced spatial heterogeneity and vegetation effects. Plant composition may redirect pedogenesis, influencing nutrient cycling and metal mobility. Additionally, our findings emphasize the need to integrate multivariate statistics with established pedogenetic in-dicators when evaluating geochemical properties in mountain soils.