brown earth formation

• • deciduous vegetation provides deep leaf litter , broken down rapidly by mild climate
• • trees have long roots deep into soil , accessing nutrients from lower levels which are recycled into leaves
• • high levels of biota to mix soil and aerate it leaving indistinct horizons
• • precipitation is greater than evaporation causing downwards leaching of minerals , possible iron pan impeding drainage
• • more sun on south facing slopes in northern hemisphere increases rate of decomposition resulting in thick humus layer
• • found on flat land and gentle slopes , fertile and deep soil due to little erosion
• • parent material is acid and alkali , soil almost neutral , creates different shades of soil