Acrisols are strongly weathered, acidic soils recognized in the World Reference Base (WRB) soil classification system. They are characterized by a clay-rich subsoil with low base saturation, meaning they contain relatively low amounts of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. Acrisols commonly form in humid tropical and subtropical regions where long-term rainfall has leached nutrients from the soil.
These soils generally have low natural fertility and often require lime and fertilizers for productive agriculture. Compared with Ferralsols, Acrisols contain more weatherable minerals and have a distinct accumulation of clay in the subsoil, making them broadly comparable to many Ultisols in the USDA Soil Taxonomy.
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