Soils in these environments differ from those in humid zones in seven significant respects, all owing to scant moisture (Cooke, Warren, and Goudie, 1993, p. 45):

• Less weathering and leaching, which has four consequences: coarse textures, shallow soils, retention of soluble substances, slow soil formation.
• Large areas of bare rock and coarse weathered mantle.
• Great expanses of patinated surfaces (e.g., desert varnish).
• Major inputs of aeolian material.