Different soil types Different soil types develop in different develop in different climates. climates. Soils- 4-1 Image: T. Loynachan
Dec 17, 2015
Different soil types Different soil types develop in different develop in different
climates.climates.
Soils-4-1
Image: T. Loynachan
Prairie soils have a dark surface Prairie soils have a dark surface layer (horizon), are rich in layer (horizon), are rich in
minerals, and form in grasslands minerals, and form in grasslands widespread across Earth’s widespread across Earth’s
middle latitudes.middle latitudes.
Soils-4-2
Images: NRCS
Forest soils have a light gray Forest soils have a light gray upper horizon, a horizon rich in upper horizon, a horizon rich in aluminum and/or iron, and form aluminum and/or iron, and form in warm to cool humid regions in warm to cool humid regions where coniferous forests grow.where coniferous forests grow.
Soils-4-3Image: Bruce Molnia
Image: Soil Classifiers of Michigan
Tropical soils are reddish and Tropical soils are reddish and iron-oxide rich, depleted in iron-oxide rich, depleted in
nutrients, and form in humid nutrients, and form in humid and warm regions.and warm regions.
Soils-4-4Images: National Cooperative Soil Survey, University of Nebraska
Organic soils are dark colored, rich Organic soils are dark colored, rich in decomposed organic matter, in decomposed organic matter,
and form in poorly drained and form in poorly drained lowlands such as swamps and lowlands such as swamps and
wetlands.wetlands.
Soils-4-5
Images: Bruce Molnia, Soil Classifiers of Michigan
Desert soils form in arid settings Desert soils form in arid settings and are commonly rich in and are commonly rich in
calcium carbonate.calcium carbonate.
Soils-4-6Images: Martin Miller, NRCS
Tundra soils form in Arctic Tundra soils form in Arctic environments, have a dark environments, have a dark
organic-rich upper layer, and a organic-rich upper layer, and a mineral rich layer over frozen mineral rich layer over frozen
ground.ground.
Soils-4-7Images: Travis Hudson, Alaska/Yukon Society of Professional Soil Scientists