Albeluvisols generally develop on flat or undulating plains of unconsolidated glacial till, materials of lacustrine or fluvial origin and of aeolian deposits (loess) under harsh climate with precipitation of 500-1000 mm/year evenly distributed over the year or with a peak in the beginning of the summer. Most Albeluvisols occur under forest.
Profiles of Albeluvisols have a dark, thin ochric surface horizon over an albic subsurface horizon that tongues into an underlying brown clay illuviation horizon. Stagnic soil properties are common in boreal Albeluvisols.
Low nutrient status, acidity, tillage and drainage problems are serious limitations for the use of Albeluvisols, which are extended by the short growing season. Common international names are Podzoluvisols (FAO), Derno-podzolic or Ortho-podzolic soils (Russia) and several suborders of the Alfisols (Soil Taxonomy).
Albeluvisols cover high percentage of land in the Boreal zone in Europe, spanning from the Atlantic coast of France to the Baltic States and further East, North-East. Distribution of Albiluvisols follows a climatic pattern with cold winters and precipitation evenly spread during the year. While being associated mainly with Luviosls and Podzols in most parts of Western and Northern Europe, Albeluvisols dominate in some regions in south-western France, Belgium and in Lithuania.