Soils

• What are desert soils known as?

  Aridisols
• What does it mean for aridisols to be zonal soils?

  They develop in response to climatic zones
• In what climatic conditions do aridisols develop?

  Hot desert climate
• Why do aridisols have few horizons?

  Due to low rainfall and vegetation cover
• What color do aridisols typically have and why?

  Grey due to little organic matter
• What is the mineral content like in aridisols?

  They contain a high content of mineral matter
• What causes minerals like calcite to reach the surface in aridisols?

  High levels of evaporation and capillary action
• What is the process called that leads to calcite accumulation in aridisols?

  Calcification
• What is caliche in the context of aridisols?

  A calcite-rich hard pan close to the surface
• How does caliche affect plant growth?

  It can be impermeable, hindering growth
• What process brings sodium to the surface in aridisols?

  Salinization
• What can result from salinization in aridisols?

  Development of toxic salt pans
• What contributes to the alkalinity of aridisols?

  High calcium carbonate and sodium concentrations
• What is the texture of aridisols like?

  Coarse sandy or gravelly
• What factors contribute to the infertility of aridisols?

  Low precipitation, little organic matter, salinization, calcification