The classification, distribution, and extent of soils with a xeric moisture regime in the United States

Abstract

Soils with cool, moist winters and relatively warm, dry summers, a Mediterranean climate, are recognized as having a xeric moisture regime in Soil Taxonomy. These soils are classified mostly in taxa that use the formative element “xer” in the name. Soil series with eiter a xeric moisture regime or an aridic regime bordering on a xeric moisture regime make up more than 48,640,000 hectares in the western part of the United States. They are classified in the orders of Mollisols (20,080,000 ha). Aridisols (11,200,000 ha), Alfisols (5,320,000 ha), Inceptisols (4,800,000 ha), Entisols (4,400,000 ha), Verticols (1,520,000 ha), Andisols (960,000 ha), and Ultisols (960,000 ha).