Soils are formed from rock and sediment over prospicient periods of time . The texture of grime is determined by the amount of weathering cause by temperature changes , wet content and other factors . In the United States , soil are classified into 12 class , called society , base on the development , fecundity , and organic and mineral content . Louisiana is part of 11 Major Land Resource Areas ( MLRA ) , according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture . Most of the soils in the United States Department of State are formed from alluvial sediments deposited by the Mississippi , Ouachita and Red Rivers .
Arkansas River Alluvium
The mud and loam soil of the Arkansas River Alluvium MLRA are found on the alluvial plains along the Ouachita River . The soil alter from ill to well drain , and dwell of forested wetlands and croplands . This MLRA admit the stain orders alfisols , entisols , inceptisols and vertisols .
Eastern Gulf Coast Flatlands
The Eastern Gulf Coast Flatlands MLRA is a neighborhood of low coastal plains with many enceinte current . The soil is poorly to very ill drained , and it consists of Baroness Dudevant , loam and muck . Most of this MLRA is forested with small areas of crop and pasture land . The soil ordination include alfisols , entisols , histosols , spodosols and ultisols .
Gulf Coast Marsh
Although the fresh and seawater marshes in the Gulf Coast Marsh MLRA are almost treeless , the area endure a large amount of wildlife . This MLRA is locate on low narrow ridgeline of sand with many river , lake , bayous , and tidal and manmade duct . The clay soil is badly drained and include entisols and histosols .
Gulf Coast Prairies
The Gulf Coast Prairies MLRA contains champaign of remains and loam along the Gulf Coast . The sloping areas are well drain , while the depressions are poorly run out . This MLRA dwell of crop , grass and range lands , as well as forested areas along the river and stream . The soils include alfisols , mollisols and vertisols .
Red River Alluvium
The loam and clay soils of the Red River Alluvium MLRA are settle on the alluvial plain along the lower Red River . The soil is poorly to moderately well drained , and includes alfisols , entisols , inceptisols and vertisols . This MLRA is mostly farmland with scattered forested wetlands .
Southern Coastal Plain
The Southern Coastal Plain MLRA is located in the extreme easterly part of the state . It dwell of poorly to overly drained loam , and it include entisols , inceptisols and ultisols . The kingdom is used for lumber yield , and as forage and crop land .
Southern Mississippi River Alluvium
The rolling alluvial knit stitch of the Southern Mississippi River Alluvium MLRA are poorly drain loam or clay . The soils admit alfisols , entisols , inceptisols and vertisols . This MLRA consists mostly of farms .
Southern Mississippi River Terraces
The demesne in the Southern Mississippi River Terraces MLRA is level to mildly sloping . The stain comprise of moderately to poorly drain silty alluvium . This MLRA is mostly alfisols and is used for timber product .
Southern Mississippi Valley Loess
Hills and steep vale make the Southern Mississippi Valley Loess MLRA . The soil is well to poorly drained , and includes alfisols , entisols , inceptisols and ultisols . This MLRA is used for farm and lea state , and it include some forests .
Western Coastal Plain
The Western Coastal Plain MLRA consist of level to outrageous uplands with streams , broad floodplains and terraces . The clay or loam soil is well to poorly drained , and it includes alfisols and ultisols . This MLRA consists of forested region , farms and pastureland .
Western Gulf Coast Flatlands
The level to gently sloping Western Gulf Coast Flatlands MLRA is well to poorly drain . The dirt contains silt , backbone and gravel , and include alfisols and ultisols . Most of this MLRA consist of timberland and timberland , in summation to some farm and pasture lands .
