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

Different soil types Different soil types develop in different develop in different

climates.climates.

Soils-4-8

Image: Image: T. Loynachan