Soils: Rendzina Soils or Shallow Brown Earths

These soils are also known as Shallow Brown Earths, partially because of their color and shallowness.

Though not as common as the other types of soils covered so far, Rendzina soils have their own charm. They are typically poor for agriculture since they are very rocky and weathered. They are full of organic matter, but considered a very low soil in terms of development. They are closely associated with bedrock and have tend to have a lot of chalk in them. Apparently, they are so full of calcium if one were to take some acid and pour it onto the top soil, there would be a fizzing noise from the reaction.

Picture: (http://www.soil-net.com/album/Soils_Rocks/slides/Isle_of_Wight_Chalk_Rendzina_04.html)

Reference:

http://www.agresearch.teagasc.ie/johnstown/Soil%20maps/North%20Tipp/Book.pdf