What type of soil develops primarily in tropical climates due to intense leaching?

Laterites are the type of soil that develops primarily in tropical climates due to intense leaching. This process occurs when heavy rainfall leaches away essential minerals from the soil, which can lead to a concentration of iron and aluminum oxides. In tropical regions, the warm temperatures and abundant moisture facilitate this rapid weathering process.

As organic materials decompose in such climates, they enrich the soil with nutrients, but the continual leaching often results in a mineral profile characterized by lower fertility than expected. This process leads to the formation of laterites, which are often red or yellow in color due to the high iron oxide content.

Other types of soil mentioned in the options, such as bauxite, are typically associated with specific mineral occurrences rather than being broad soil types, whereas paleosols represent ancient soils that were once formed under different climatic conditions. Pedalfers are soils that generally develop in humid temperate climates and are not exclusive to tropical regions, making them less relevant to the question context than laterites. Therefore, the defining characteristics and formation process of laterites make them the correct answer in the context of tropical climates and intense leaching.