Mean monthly temperature ≥18 C for all 12 months of the year and with annual precipitation ≥ 1500 mm.¹ This category lumps together the tropical rainforest (minimum precipitation ≥ 60 mm per month) and tropical monsoon (annual precipitation ≥ 25[100-Pmin]) categories of the KÓ§ppen climate classification system.² The Amazon Rainforest and the Congo rainforest are found in this climate, acting as the “lungs” of the world. The high rainfall and hot weather associated with this climate typically cause the rapid weathering of soils, often leading to the formation of soils rich in iron and aluminum oxides. In some soils, horizons of plinthite may form, limiting rooting depth for most plants. This climate is typical of regions near the equator and is found in countries such as Ecuador, Brazil, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Cameroon, Madagascar, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, México, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Puerto Rico, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Venezuela, among others.²

^{Tropical Wet Photo by Claudia Fernández Ortiz On Unsplash.com}

Soil Health Challenges for Tropical Wet Climates

• Erosion

• Excessive Water and Poor Drainage

• Low Available Phosphorus

• Nutrient Management

• Structural Degradation

• Pollution

• Soil Borne Disease

• Acidity

• Low Organic Matter

References

1.        Pidwirny, M.; Jones, S. Climate classification and climatic regions of the world. http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/7v.html (accessed 8/26/2018).

2.        Kottek, M.; Grieser, J.; Beck, C.; Rudolf, B.; Rubel, F., World map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated. Meteorologische Zeitschrift 2006, 15 (3), 259-263.