In arid climates, soils that are thin with little leaching are referred to as what?

In arid climates, soils that are thin with little leaching are referred to as pedocals. This term is used to describe soils that typically develop in dry regions where evaporation exceeds precipitation. As a result, these soils tend to accumulate calcium carbonate and other minerals due to the limited leaching processes, which would normally wash away soluble components.

Pedocals are characterized by their lower organic matter content and often have a higher concentration of soluble minerals compared to soils found in more humid environments. This description aligns well with the conditions present in arid regions, marking the distinction from other soil types such as pedalfer, which is more typical of humid climates and is characterized by more intense leaching and accumulation of iron and aluminum oxides, bauxite which is a residual soil type rich in aluminum, and laterites which form in tropical climates with significant weathering and leaching. Therefore, the unique conditions of arid climates clearly define pedocals as the appropriate term for these specific soil characteristics.