Hot Desert Soils (Leaving Cert Geography): Quizzes
📚Quizzes
Practise the questions
12 questions from this quiz
ShowHide
Practise the questions
12 questions from this quiz
What is a defining characteristic of aridisols?
What is a defining characteristic of aridisols?
Very low or no organic matter
Which two climate factors are closely linked to aridisol formation?
Which two climate factors are closely linked to aridisol formation?
Low precipitation & high temperatures
What colour are aridisols typically?
What colour are aridisols typically?
Light grey
Why do aridisols have poor water-carrying capacity?
Why do aridisols have poor water-carrying capacity?
Coarse, gravelly composition
Which type of weathering dominates in aridisol formation?
Which type of weathering dominates in aridisol formation?
Mechanical weathering
What causes rocks to physically break down in deserts?
What causes rocks to physically break down in deserts?
Large diurnal temperature ranges
What is exfoliation in desert soils?
What is exfoliation in desert soils?
Repeated expansion & contraction cycles
How do desert winds affect aridisol composition?
How do desert winds affect aridisol composition?
Blow away fine particles
What characterises the A horizon in aridisols?
What characterises the A horizon in aridisols?
Poorly developed or absent
How do salt pans form in desert soils?
How do salt pans form in desert soils?
Capillary action & evaporation
What is hardpan and what does it prevent?
What is hardpan and what does it prevent?
Hard calcium layer; root penetration
What can unlock the agricultural potential of aridisols?
What can unlock the agricultural potential of aridisols?
Water addition through irrigation