Histosol

As Histosol is referred to according to the USDA soil classification high carbon soils such as peat. They appear mainly in the northern hemisphere of the earth and are found mainly in regions with cold -wet climate in temperate latitudes, in addition also in the Everglades in Florida, and in mangrove swamps of Asia.

Histosols form on little sloping terrain with very poor natural drainage from where a frequent saturation of the soil with water to prevent rapid degradation of rotting plant material. This faster carbonaceous material builds up at the surface, as it can be degraded, so that deep soil horizons can form. Characteristic features are a ratio of 20 to 30 percent of organic material and a thickness of more than 40 centimeters.

The pH is usually in the acidic range Histosolen, the nutrient level is low. Therefore you can find on Histosolen usually only a sparse vegetation. If they are dried up, there is a great risk for wind erosion. Because of the high content of organic material Histosol components serve as fuel and are also broken down and used for horticulture.

The total area of ​​all Histosols is about 1.5 million square kilometers or 1.2 per cent of the world's ice-free land surface.

Classification

It is divided into four sub-orders Histosols:

• Folist
• Fibrist
• Saprist
• Hemist

See also

• Moor