Hot Desert Soils (Leaving Cert Geography): Flashcards
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Dominant soil type in hot deserts
Dominant soil type in hot deserts
Aridisols
Organic matter level in aridisols
Organic matter level in aridisols
Very low/none; alkaline/saline
Two climate factors forming aridisols
Two climate factors forming aridisols
Low precipitation & high daytime temperatures
Texture of aridisols
Texture of aridisols
Coarse & stony with gravel and rocky fragments
Colour of aridisols
Colour of aridisols
Light grey (absence of dark organic materials)
Water-carrying capacity of aridisols
Water-carrying capacity of aridisols
Extremely poor due to coarse, gravelly composition
Dominant weathering type in desert soils
Dominant weathering type in desert soils
Mechanical weathering (not chemical)
Exfoliation in deserts
Exfoliation in deserts
Rock breakdown from expansion/contraction cycles
A horizon in aridisols
A horizon in aridisols
Poorly developed or absent; lacks humus
Salinisation cause in deserts
Salinisation cause in deserts
Evaporation exceeds precipitation
Salt pans (salt flats)
Salt pans (salt flats)
Flat expanses covered in crystallised salts
Hardpan effect on agriculture
Hardpan effect on agriculture
Prevents root penetration, limits crop growth
Aridisols + irrigation =
Aridisols + irrigation =
Water addition can unlock productivity