Luvisols

Luvisols occur mainly in temperate regions, particularly in areas with a Mediterranean-type of climate.

Characteristics

Soils having an argic horizon (a subsurface horizon with a distinct higher clay content than the overlying horizon) with a cation exchange capacity equal to or more than 24 cmol_c per kg clay throughout.

Red Luvisol with pronounced prismatic structure and features associated with water stagnation in the argic horizon, China

(Hyposodi-Stagnic Luvisol (Chromic and Cutanic); ISRIC reference soil CN 046)

Luvisol used for paddy rice cultivation, China

(Anthraqui-Stagnic Luvisol; ISRIC reference soil CN 003)

Brown Luvisol with distinct eluvial horizon between 20 and 45 cm depth and an argic horizon below, having pronounced films of illuviated clay, Ireland

(Cutanic Luvisol; ISRIC reference soil IE 007)