Soils of the European Union - European Soil Portal - Europa

4.2 AlbeluvisolsGeographical distributionAlbeluvisols cover more than 75,000 km 2 in the EU, spanning from the Atlantic coast of France to the Baltic States.Distribution of Albiluvisols follows a climatic pattern with cold winters and precipitation evenly spread during the year.Albeluvisols form soil associations in 1,755 polygons; in 537 cases as dominant, in 593 cases as associated and in 625cases as inclusion soils. While being associated mainly with Luviosls and Podzols in most parts of Western and NorthernEurope, Albeluvisols dominate in some regions in south-western France, Belgium and in Lithuania.The Reference Soil Group of Albeluvisols in the EU is composed by units of Endoeutric-, Gleyic- and Haplic soil types(Table 4.2, Figure 4.2)Table 4.2 Area of the second level units of AlbeluvioslsUnits in the Reference Soil Groupin the EUCodes ofsoil unitsArea in the EUkm 2Endoeutric Albeluvisol ABeun 30769Gleyic Albeluvisol ABgl 21176Haplic Albeluvisol ABha 24921Endoeutric Albeluvisols are dominant at their occurrence in South-Western France and in the Baltics. Gleyic Albeluvisolsdominate the coastal areas of Lithuania, have considerably high share in Central-France and are present in Romania,Slovakia and Poland, Germany and Belgium. Haplic Albeluvisols are found in the UK, Germany, Denmark, Poland,Lithuania, France and Belgium but have dominant proportion only in limited parts of the later three countries.32.42%27.55%40.03%ABeunABglABhaFigure 4.2 Share of the second level soil units in the area of AlbeluvisolsGlobal referenceAlbeluvisols generally develop on flat or undulating plains of unconsolidated glacial till, materials of lacustrine or fluvialorigin and of aeolian deposits (loess) under harsh climate with precipitation of 500-1000 mm/year evenly distributed overthe year or with a peak in the beginning of the summer. Most Albeluvisols occur under forest.Albeluvisols cover an estimated 3.2 million km 2 in Europe, North Asia and Central Asia, with minor occurrences in NorthAmerica.Profiles of Albeluvisols have a dark, thin ochric surface horizon over an albic subsurface horizon that tongues into anunderlying brown clay illuviation horizon. Stagnic soil properties are common in boreal Albeluvisols.Low nutrient status, acidity, tillage and drainage problems are serious limitations for the use of Albeluvisols, which areextended by the short growing season.Common international names are Podzoluvisols (FAO), Derno-podzolic or Ortho-podzolic soils (Russia) and severalsuborders of the Alfisols (Soil Taxonomy).14