Leptosol

Leptosols cover approximately 1.7 billion hectares of the Earth's surface.

They are found from the tropics to the cold polar regions and from sea level to the highest peaks.

Leptosols are particularly widespread in mountain areas, notably in Asia, South America, northern Canada and Alaska; and in the Saharan and Arabian deserts.

In the FAO soil classification for the FAO/UNESCO Soil Map of the World (1974) the Leptosols on calcareous rock were called Rendzinas, those on acid rock were Rankers.

Leptosols are unattractive soils for rainfed agriculture because of their inability to hold water,[1] but may sometimes have potential for tree crops or extensive grazing.