Although desert and arctic climates are extremely different, their soils may be somewhat similar. Why?

1 Answer
Aug 6, 2018

The climates because of a lack of rainfall and useable water does not produce much organic material These leaves the soils to be made primarily of eroded rocks.

Explanation:

There is little rainfall in both the arctic and the desert. Plants can not grow without water. The lack of water means that there is little organic material to decompose and enrich the soil. In the arctic the lack of rain is combined with extreme cold which while leaving ice on the surface and permafrost underneath does not provide the form of water needed for plant growth.

The soils in both the desert and the arctic lack decomposed organic material leaving the soils, to be made mainly of eroded rocks.