Characteristics of Rain Forest Soil

Tropical Rain Forests

• Found along the equator, tropical rain forests are more than 10 million years old. Heavy rain, high humidity and warm-to-hot temperatures characterize the biomes of tropical rain forests. While the Amazon is one of the best-known tropical rain forests, Madagascar, India and Africa also have their own tropical rain forests.

Tropical Rain Forest Soil

• Tropical rain forests have shallow soil with few nutrients. According to Amazon-Rainforest, "The Amazon rainforest soil holds only 20% of the nutrients in the forest. ... " The old age of tropical rain forests contributes to low nutrient levels in the soil. In addition, decomposition happens quickly in tropical regions, meaning few nutrients from things like decaying leaves make it into the rain forest soil. Tropical rain forest soil is often red or yellow because of high iron and aluminum oxide levels. Tropical rain forests have many types of soil, including Ultisols and Oxisols.

Temperate Rain Forests

• Temperate rain forests, less than 10,000 years old, are young compared to their tropical cousins. High amounts of rainfall; seasonal temperature changes; and tall, mature trees with large diameters, such as redwoods, characterize temperate rain forests. More rare than tropical rain forests, temperate rain forests are located on the West Coast and in New Zealand and Chile, as well as other locations.

Temperate Rain Forest Soil

• Temperate rain forest soil contains many nutrients and is typically very fertile. A large part of this soil fertility is because of decaying vegetation on the rain forest floor. Decomposition in temperate rain forests is slowed by months of cooler weather, allowing more nutrients to seep into the soil. A light-reddish color is typical of temperate rain forest soil, which includes Spodosols and Inceptisols.