Brown Earth Formation Processes

Question 1

What natural vegetation is found in a brown earth soil?

Answer 1

Decidious woodland. It produces a deep leaf litter which breaks down quickly in the warm, temperate climate

Question 2

The tree roots penetrate deep into the soil. What does this cause?

Answer 2

This causes the recycling of minerals found deep down in the soil back up to the vegetation

Question 3

There are a lot of soil biota in brown earth soils. What do they do?

Answer 3

They break down the leaf litter producing a mildly acidic mull humus
They also ensure the mixing of soil, preventing distinct soil horizons from forming

Question 4

Precipitation slightly exceeds evapouration. What dows this cause?

Answer 4

The downward leaching of soluble minerals eg calcium and the possibility of a formation of an iron pan which impedes drainage