Genetic analysis and classification of brown arid soils

A system of indices for the genetic horizons and specific features of fulvate-carbonate brown and gray-brown arid soils is suggested on the basis of the analysis of morphological descriptions and analytical data on these soils. Principles of substantive-genetic classification are applied to the taxonomy and diagnostics of arid soils of Central Asia and Kazakhstan. Brown arid soils are distinguished at the type level. They are subdivided into the subtypes of typical, ordinary, and gray-brown arid soils. Their concise morphogenetic characterization is given.