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Sand Deserts

Ecoregion on Colorado Plateau in AZ, UT

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The Sand Deserts ecoregion of southern Utah and northern Arizona is in nearly level to irregular basins and contains a mantle of sandy eolian deposits, shifting dunes, and exposed sandstone bedrock. Entisols and Aridisols are common. The soils are sandy and have a low water holding capacity. They have a drier moisture regime than the soils of Ecoregions 20c. On average, they receive only 6 to 9 inches of precipitation annually in the east and up to 13 inches in the areas west of Fredonia. Vegetation is sparser than in Ecoregion 20c and stock carrying capacity is limited. Shifting sand is mostly devoid of vegetation while soils on stable sand-blankets support drought-tolerant plants including Indian ricegrass, sand dropseed, yucca, and blackbrush.

— EPA

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Ecoregion