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Soil Surface Patterns of some Semiarid Soils in Northern Utah, Southern Idaho, and Northeastern Nevada¹

ABSTRACT

Surface soil patterns were classified and studied on 70 semiarid to subhumid areas with relict native vegetation in Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. Three general classes of soil surface conditions were recognized — prominently patterned, weakly patterned, and unpatterned. Prominent and weak patterns were further classified into polygonal surface soil patterns with and without segregation of coarse particles.

Surface patterns were found to occur only on bare surface soil between clumps of plants on well-drained and moderately well-drained silt loam, silty clay loam, and very fine sandy loam textured soils. Polygonal patterns with segregated coarse particles were observed only on moderately well-drained planosolic, lithosolic, and solonetzic soils containing basalt pebbles. Surface soil patterns did not occur under vegetation, mulch, stones, or gravel.

Cycles of alternate freezing and thawing of the surface soil followed by desiccation result in the formation of polygonal surface soil patterns with and without segregation of coarse particles.

¹ Contribution from the Soil Conservation Service, USDA, Salt Lake City, Utah.

² Soil Scientist and Range Conservationist, respectively, SCS, USDA, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Received for publication April 24, 1963. Accepted for publication April 28, 1964.