What is the meaning of Aridisols?

Aridisols (from Latin aridus, “dry”) are CaCO3-containing soils of arid regions that exhibit subsurface horizon development. They are characterized by being dry most of the year and limited leaching. Aridisols contain subsurface horizons in which clays, calcium carbonate, silica, salts and/or gypsum have accumulated.

Are Aridisols weathered?

They include weakly weathered soils with much volcanic glass as well as more strongly weathered soils. They are common in cool areas with moderate to high precipitation, especially those areas associated with volcanic materials. Aridisols are soils that are too dry for the growth of mesophytic plants.

What is oxisols soil?

Oxisols (from French oxide, “oxide”) are very highly weathered soils that are found primarily in the intertropical regions of the world. These soils contain few weatherable minerals and are often rich in Fe and Al oxide minerals. Oxisols occupy approximately 7.5 percent of the global ice-free land area.

What are the characteristics of Aridisols?

Aridisols are dry, desertlike soils that have low organic content and are sparsely vegetated by drought- or salt-tolerant plants. (Not included in this order are soils located in polar regions or high-elevation settings.) Dry climate and low humus content limit their arability without irrigation.

What are Inceptisols good for?

They are often found on fairly steep slopes, young geomorphic surfaces and on resistant parent materials. Land use varies considerably with Inceptisols. A sizable percentage of Inceptisols are found in mountainous areas and are used for forestry, recreation and watershed.

Are Aridisols fertile?

Aridisols are very fertile, however, often don’t have the rainfall to sustain life. When it rains, dormant seeds wake up and form desert blooms. The permanent vegetation (like cacti and shrubs) is very well adapted to living without moisture for long periods of time.

What are the key features of Aridisols Where are they found?

Aridisols are characterized by a surface horizon (uppermost layer) that is light in colour with very low humus content, by dry soil conditions for most of the year, and by a significant accumulation of translocated (migrated) layer silicate clay, soluble salts, or sodium ions.

Which is a defining characteristic of an Aridisol?

Aridisols have a very low concentration of organic matter, reflecting the paucity of vegetative production on these dry soils. Water deficiency is the major defining characteristic of Aridisols. Also required is sufficient age to exhibit sub-soil weathering and development.

What do Aridisols mean in the soil taxonomy?

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: Aridisols. Aridisols are a soil order in USA soil taxonomy. Aridisols form in an arid or semi-arid climate. Aridisols dominate the deserts and xeric shrublands, which occupy about one third of the Earth’s land surface.

Where are aridisols found in the United States?

Aridisols are desert soils found mostly in the western and southwestern United States where precipitation is inadequate for crop growth.

How much rain does an aridisol get per year?

In terms of the distribution of rainfall, 15 Mha of the land receives annual rainfall of < 500 mm, 15 Mha of 500–750 mm, 42 Mha of 750–1150 mm, and 25 Mha of > 1150 mm.