Mollisols are a soil order in USA soil taxonomy. Mollisols form in semi-arid to semi-humid areas, typically under a grassland cover. They have deep, high organic matter, nutrient-enriched surface soil. This fertile surface horizon, known as a mollic epipedon, results from the long-term addition of organic materials derived from plant roots. Mollisols occur in savannahs and mountain valleys. Because of their productivity and abundance, the Mollisols represent one of the more important soil orders.
Suborders
- Albolls — wet soils; aquic soil moisture regime with an elluvial horizon
- Aquolls — wet soils; aquic soil moisture regime
- Borolls — cold climate; frigid or cryic soil temperature regime
- Rendolls — lime parent material
- Udolls — humid climate; udic moisture regime
- Ustolls — subhumid climate; ustic moisture regime
- Xerolls — Mediteranaean climate; xeric moisture regime
See also
Pedogenesis
Pedology (soil study)
Soil classification
Soil science
Soil type
External Links
SSSA glossary - mollisols
USDA - NRCS - mollisols
University of Idaho - mollisols
University of Florida - mollisols