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The composition and importance of terrestrial ecosystems during the Cambrian is the subject of frequent speculation due to poor preservation and a paucity of comprehensive studies. In this thesis, a geographically extensive and geologically heterogeneous Middle Cambrian weathered surface was investigated to better understand both abiotic and biotic weathering effects and site-to-site heterogeneities. The development of Alfisols and Ultisols in the study area is consistent with weathering in a subtropical climate. Western sites tended to by slightly drier as compared to eastern sites. Further heterogeneities in weathering were caused by differences in topography, with higher and better-drained sites developing drier paleosols and lower and more poorly drained sites developing wetter paleosols, and parent material, with sandy grus and paleosaprolites developing on granites and clayey paleosols and …