Brown earth (BE)

• Deciduous forests drop leaf litter annually providing a deep leaf litter, which is broken down rapidly in the warm/mild climate.
• Deciduous trees have long roots, so they can reach down to lower layers in the soil and access the nutrients in the lower layers and recycle it to leaves.
• Since it is a warm/mild climate, biota is abundant and the biota mix the soil, aerating it and creating non-distinct layers.
• Precipitation slightly greater than evaporation, which leads to leaching of soil nutrients in a downwards direction. There is also a possibility of an iron pan forming which will impede drainage.
• South facing slopes in the Northern hemisphere receive more sunlight and higher temperatures, due to this the rate of decomposition increases and a thick, dark, mild mull humus layer is formed.
• Rock type in the soil determines the rate of weathering. Hard rock (e.g. schist) is eroded slower resulting in a thinner soil. Soft rock (e.g. shale) is eroded quicker resulting in a thicker soil.
• Found on gentler slopes so better drainage which leads to lower erosion rates so thinner soils.
• Light brown and crumbly texture because calcium and manganese are leached out by rain.