Contribution of Micromorphology to Classification of Aridic Soils

The function of micromorphology is perceived as the interpretation of phenomena and aid in recognizing diagnostic horizons in the major soil classification systems of the world. The micromorphological contribution to the diagnostics of the horizons in soil classification comprises the complementary characteristics and/or confirmation of the genetic implications on a horizon, the clarification and identification of the horizon with its differentiating criteria. Hence, the application of micromorphology to soils of (sub) arid regions is promising in discriminating the pedogenic properties from the inherited ones, assessing the development and degradation of structure, the re-arrangement of soil solids by pedofauna and other agents, explaining the nature of clay-enriched subsoil, as well as the behavior of carbonates and gypsum. These functions are helpful in solving problems related to aridic soils, whose diagnostics comprises the identification of yermic, takyric, cambic, calcic, (paleo) argic horizons and features derived from accumulation of salts.