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

12766 Views

See similar Geography A Level tutors

Related Geography A Level answers

All answers ▸

To what extent does globalisation positively impact countries


With reference to a transnational corporation (TNC) of your choice, describe its spatial organisation and explain the reasons for its growth.


What is food security?


Using named examples, assess the effectiveness of technological leapfrogging in contributing to the development process


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:

© 2026 by IXL Learning