found in coniferous forest, pine cones and needles are acidic and lead to the formation of acidicmorhumus
the humus layer is thin as low temperatures influence the slow decay of plant material
shallow vegetation roots means less leached nutrients are absorbed
role of biota in a podzol
few organisms found in this soil due to cold temperatures
there it little movement of the organisms in a podzol so there are distinct layers
climate where podzols are found
cold climates, high precipitation and snow melt
precipitation is higher than evaporation so leaching occurs as rain water moves through the soil - leaching is the loss of water-soluble plant nutrients from the soil
relief and drainage of a podzol
podzols are often waterlogged, this is caused by an iron pan which is created by the leaching of iron and aluminium oxides at the base of the A horizon
parent material of a podzol
the parent material in a podzol (C horizon) is often acidic rock like granite
the B horizon is reddishbrown - an illuvation layer with the accumulation of humus, iron and clay
the B horizon is distinct as there are few soil biota, it's darker and denser as there are mineral oxides
