Vertisol

As Vertisols are referred to both USDA and after the WRB soil classification soils of humid tropics and subtropics. They are characterized by a high clay content. They are found worldwide in regions with seasonally fluctuating rainfall, such as in eastern Australia, Sudan, Ethiopia, the southeast coast of the U.S. or the Indian Deccan Plateau.

Depending on the moisture content is Vertisols expand or contract. In dry periods can form vertical soil columns that can reach a depth of up to half a meter and prevent formation of soil horizons by the contraction of the clay. This specific feature is due to the high amounts of the clay mineral montmorillonite. Vertisols are formed by Hydroturbation directly from very clay-rich rocks are mostly neutral or slightly acidic and often have quite a large thickness.

The natural vegetation consists of grasses of Vertisolen or forest.

Worldwide, about 3.2 million square kilometers, or nearly 2.5 percent of the ice-free land area of ​​Vertisolen are covered.

Classification

In Vertisolen you a total of six different suborders:

• Aquert
• Cryert
• Xerert
• Torrert
• Ustert
• Udert