Alfisols

As Alfisol is referred to according to the USDA soil classification well-developed forest soils with a deep layer of clay. They are found especially in temperate latitudes in regions with relatively humid climate, like the east and south-west of Australia, the East Indies, the South East and West Africa, on the east coast and in the southwest of Brazil, isolated in Canada and the U.S. as well as in a wide strip of France and Benelux on Central and Eastern Europe to Russia.

Most mild to moderately acid, Alfi sols are considered very fertile soil and are frequently used in accordance with agriculture. Often they find themselves under deciduous forests where the falling annually deciduous leaves quickly weathered and cheapest humus forms, such as Mull arise.

Worldwide, about 12.6 million square kilometers of soil and 10 percent of the ice-free land area of ​​Alfi sols are covered.

Classification

We distinguish five suborders ( suborders ):

  • Aqualf: Alfi sols with hydromorphic features in the subsoil.
  • Cryalf: Alfi sols over permafrost.
  • Udalf: Alfi Sole humid temperate climate regions where precipitation exceeds evaporation.
  • Ustalf: Alfi sols ( sub) tropical areas with monsoon climate or summer rain.
  • Xeralf: Alfisol of the winter wet subtropics (eg Mediterranean areas).

In the German soil classification substantially conform to the Luvisols. In the international soil classification by the World Reference Base they meet the Luvisolen.

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