World’s Soil Resources

LUVISOLS (Alfisols with an argillic horizon)
Luvisols are characterized by clay movement, accumulation of high-activity clays (CEC > 24 cmolc kg -1
clay) and a high base saturation (> 50 percent). The dominant soil processes involved in Luvisol formation
include argilluviation and biological enrichment of base cations. They are either derived from base-rich
materials or have not been subject to strong weathering (Figure A 29).
Luvisols occur in humid climates with warm summers and snowfall during winter. They typically carry a
vegetation of deciduous forest or woodland. They occur on flat or gently sloping topography. Their parent
material is till, loess, alluvium or colluvium. These soils are commonly more than 5 000 years old.
There are 500-600 million ha of Luvisols worldwide, mainly in the Eastern European Plain, Western
Siberian Plain, north central and northeastern United States, central Europe, and South Australia. Luvisols
are used for agriculture, forestry and grazing. They are among the most productive soils worldwide and
provide ecological services such as food and energy security, water protection, and ecological sustainability.
Status of the World’s Soil Resources | Main Report Annex | Soil groups, characteristics,
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distribution and ecosystem services