Entisols are
mineral soils with very little
horizon development. This soil group is very diverse due to the fact that they are in early stages of
development. Entisols are either very young (such as ones that have developed on fresh
lava flows or recently deposited
alluvium) or are developing on
parent material that is resistant to
weathering.
Entisols cover 16% of the world's total land area. They are common in dry regions such as southwest
Texas, areas of steep gradient such as the
Rocky Mountains and in
river valleys.
Entisols are commonly used as
rangeland. Their use for agriculture depends on the location and the properties of the Entisol found there. However, an Entisols
productivity is limited by soil
depth.
Suborders:
-
Aquents (wet)
- Arents (mixed horizons)
- Fluvents (alluvial deposits)
- Orthents (typical Entisols)
- Psamments (sandy)