Mollisols

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-017701",
  "term": "Mollisols",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "Mollisols commonly are the very dark colored, base-rich, mineral soils of the steppes. Nearly all of these soils have a mollic epipedon. Many also have an argillic, natric, or calcic horizon. A few have an albic horizon. Some also have a duripan or a petrocalcic horizon. Mollisols are extensive in subhumid to semiarid areas on the plains of North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. They lie generally between the Aridisols of arid climates and the Spodosols or Alfisols of humid climates. They are most extensive at mid latitudes, but they also occur at high latitudes and high altitudes and in tropical regions. Many of these soils developed under grass at some time, although many apparently were forested at an earlier time. Some of the soils that are in the mountains or that were derived from highly calcareous parent material apparently formed under forest vegetation. Mollisols may have any of the defined temperature regimes but do not have permafrost. Soils with mollic epipedons and permafrost are Gelisols. Mollisols can have any moisture regime, but enough available moisture to support perennial grasses seems to be essential.",
  "subject": "Natural environments",
  "references": [
    "USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Taxonomy: A Basic System of Soil Classification for Making and Interpreting Soil Surveys (1999)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/mollisols/"
}