Ultisol soil profile in tropical pine savanna ecosystem showing A and B horizons in Belize

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Ultisols are a highly weathered soil type common in the tropics. This profile is derived from granitic bedrock. The light colored "A" horizon contains high amounts of quartz and is well drained. The mottled "B" horizon is finer-textured, contains more clay, and drains more slowly. This soil is generally infertile, has low cation exchange capacity, low base saturation, low pH, low water retention capacity in the topsoil, and little agricultural potential.

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Size: 1991px × 3060px
Location: Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, Cayo District, Belize
Photo credit: © Rosanne Tackaberry / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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