Which one of the following soils is characterized by very high content

Which one of the following soils is characterized by very high content of organic matter?

Vertisol
Histosol
Gelisol
Spodosol
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2020
The correct answer is B) Histosol.
Soil taxonomy classifies soils based on their properties. Histosols are a soil order characterized by a very high content of organic matter, typically formed in saturated or anaerobic conditions like wetlands, bogs, and swamps where the decomposition of organic material is slow. Vertisols are clayey soils that shrink and swell significantly with changes in moisture content. Gelisols are soils of very cold climates that contain permafrost within 100 cm of the surface or exhibit evidence of cryoturbation. Spodosols are acidic soils common in coniferous or mixed forests, characterized by the accumulation of organic matter, aluminum, and/or iron in subsurface horizons, but they are not primarily composed of organic matter like Histosols.
Histosols are also known by common names such as peats and mucks. They are very fertile when drained, but drainage can lead to subsidence and oxidation of the organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide.
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