Aridisols (from Latin aridus, "dry") are CaCO3-containing soils of arid
regions that exhibit at least some 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.
Materials such as soluble salts, gypsum, and CaCO3 tend to be leached from soils
of moister climates.
Aridisols occupy ~12% of the Earth's ice-free land area and ~8.3%
of the US.
Aridisols are used mainly for range, wildlife, and recreation. Because
of the dry climate in which they are found, they are not used for
agricultural production unless irrigation water is available.
Aridisols
are divided into 7 suborders: Cryids, Salids,
Durids, Gypsids, Argids, Calcids,
and Cambids. Click
here for more information about these suborders. Click
here to view a map of their distribution in the US. |
