The world's oldest soils support highly specialized forms of plant life.
The oldest soils in the world can be found in areas that have been undisturbed by man-made developments or Ice Ages. This lack of activity allows the soil to remain stable. These soils are often low in nutrient content and found in some of the harshest areas of the world, from desert regions to mountains.
African Soil
The sandy soil of the Namib Desert in Africa has existed for more than 55 million years according to the World Wildlife Federation. This longevity is due to a lack of area development because of the harsh desert environment and lack of any permanent water sources. The soil of the Namib receives between 0.19 inches and 3.34 inches of rain per year and is characterized by high concentrations of salt, gypsum and calcium carbonate. Despite the poor quality, the soil is able to support a highly specialized variety of plant life including the welwitschia mirabilis--a plant which appears as littered seaweed on the desert sand, first flowers at 20 years old and can live for more than 2,000 years.
Australian Soil
According to CSIRO Land and Water's website, the clay soils of Australia are millions of years old and among the oldest in the world. The soil is quite fragile and has a limited ability to drain salt and water. Clay soil can appear cracked during dry periods and swollen when rain does occur. Australian clay soil has reached this age based on two factors: the continent avoided the Ice Ages that invigorated European soils 12,000 years ago, and much of Australia remains undeveloped due to similar climatic conditions as the Namib Desert in Africa.
North American Mountains and Deserts
The next oldest soil in the world is found in the alluvial fans and terraces of the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California and desert regions of Arizona and New Mexico. According to the University of Minnesota, the rocky soil of the Sierra Nevada Mountains is estimated to be 750,000 years old. The soil has remained stable due to a lack of cultivation of these areas.
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