noun
- Soils formed in arid and semiarid climates, characterized by an accumulation of calcium carbonate and other salts in the lower layers.
Usage: technical; soil science; plural form; singular is pedocal
Examples
- Pedocals are commonly found in desert and grassland regions where rainfall is limited.
- The accumulation of lime in pedocals makes them less acidic than soils in humid climates.
- Farmers studying pedocals must account for their high salt content when planning irrigation.
- Pedocals develop where evaporation exceeds precipitation, preventing leaching of minerals.
- The distribution of pedocals across the Great Plains reflects the region's semiarid climate.