Classification, Properties, and Management of Aridisols

revised 1996 by J.A. Tabor

Introduction to Aridic Soils

	Almost one third of the Earth's surface has an arid or semi-arid climate.
	The largest arid zones include the Sahara and Sahel regions of North Africa, the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa, the Arabian Desert in the Near East, the Great Australian Desert, and the deserts of North and South America.
	The aridity of these regions presents formidable environmental obstacles to human habitation.
	Yet these same lands have the potential to become the next frontier for agriculture. In fact, some soils of arid regions have considerable promise for development. All that is required is a reliable water supply and proper management.

Introduction to Aridic Soils | Soil Taxonomy | Introduction to Soil Horizons | The Horizons | Suborders and Great Groups | Argid Suborder | Orthid Suborder | Subgroups | Families | Non-Aridisols | Irrigation | Saline Soils | Sodic and Saline-Sodic Soils | Final Considerations

URL:http://cals.arizona.edu/OALS/soils/aridsoils/aridsoils.html
Last revised: 29 August 2001
Site created and maintained by the Office of Arid Lands Studies