Soil development along an elevational transect in the arid White Mountains, California

Abstract

Arid mountain ecosystems are unique environments characterized by low precipitation, extreme diurnal temperature, sparse vegetation, abundant coarse fragments, and dust. To understand the complex processes driving soil genesis in these regions, 11 sites along an elevational transect, ranging from 2200 to 4300 m above sea level in the White Mountains of California were examined on primarily granodiorite and quartzite lithologies. Soils were described and sampled, and physical and chemical properties including particle size distribution, bulk density, pH, and organic and inorganic carbon were determined. At low elevations, rainfall facilitates rapid water infiltration and flux through soil macropores, causing deep translocation of fine-earth material. Conversely, higher elevations receive more snowfall, which directs infiltration toward pores in the soil matrix resulting in shallower soil development but relatively greater chemical weathering. Dominant lithologies in the range appear to influence soil development through the potential for rocks to be embedded at the land surface. Surface rock embedding further modifies the potential for macropore versus matrix flow influencing the depth of soil development and degree of weathering. These findings reveal the combined effects of climate and lithology on soil formation and may guide future studies of arid mountains.