Which soil order is characterized by base saturation greater than 50% throughout?

Mollisols are characterized by a significant base saturation throughout their profile, typically exceeding 50%. This high base saturation indicates a rich availability of essential nutrients for plant growth, making Mollisols particularly fertile and well-suited for agriculture. They are often found in grassland regions where organic matter accumulation occurs, leading to a dark, fertile layer known as the mollic epipedon.

In contrast, Alfisols tend to have a base saturation of greater than 50% as well but are often not as consistently high across the entire profile as Mollisols. Inceptisols, on the other hand, are younger soils with minimal horizon development and do not consistently exhibit high base saturation. Spodosols, typically found in cooler, humid climates under coniferous forests, are characterized by low base saturation and high acidity due to leaching processes. Thus, since Mollisols maintain a consistently high base saturation, they are specifically recognized for this trait compared to the other soil orders.