Hot does climate affect soils in hot deserts?

The soil found in hot desserts is called aridisol.  In short the soil found in desserts are pooor in organic matter and rich in salts.

On of the main climatic factors affecting soil is the lack of rainfall.  Lack of moisture leads to thin soils as the weathering of the surrounding rock is slow.  The lack of rainfall limits the amount of vegetation that can grow which leads to very low amounts of organic matter in the soil.  Slow decompostiion (which is also a result of  sparse vegetation and low amounts of rain)  in the arid area also makes the organic content of the soil low .  Salt crusts  ,form on desert soils due to high temperatures and limited rainfall which lad to evapotranspiration exceeding precipiation and the upward movement on salts.

JA
Answered by Janine A. Geography tutor

12043 Views

See similar Geography A Level tutors

Related Geography A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe the formation of a meander


Explain how one transnational corporation (TNC) has contributed to the globalisation of the world’s economy (4m)


What is the best way to answer the question to gain full marks in my exam?


Evaluate the view that hard engineering approaches to coastal management produce more winners than losers


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning