Lower thresholds to degradation processes than humid soils. Rocks and gravels decompose to finer particles. Sand remains in the area, forming plains and dunes over old erosional surfaces. Soils that form from this wind blown sediment have high water infiltration rates. While these high rates assure capture of rainfall, sandy soils hold less water for plant uptake than finer textured soils.
Sandy soils pose other difficulties for vegetation.
If strong winds occur shortly after seeds germinate, the seedlings are at great risk to death by sand blasting. Sand mobility and resulting dunes can threaten buildings, roads, and irrigated agriculture land. Thin soils Rainfall runoff and resulting erosion in sloping areas maintain shallow soil by stripping away soil as it slowly forms. Shallow, sloping soils lose much rainfall to runoff while the water retained in the soil soon evaporates. These thin soils provide a harsh environment for the very vegetation that would help protect the soil from erosion.