Though there exist four types of deserts, the soil they have shares some key characteristics. Desert soil has good drainage and generally has high salt concentrations. Soils can range from fine to course, depending on the desert's location.
Soil succession is a gradual process involving the production and growth of plants and the ability of the soil to carry the plants over time. Primary succession for the desert occurs in stage 1. The land is barren and devoid of vegetation. The soil has good drainage, which prepares it well for the care of desert plants, such as the cactus, which develop roots in stage 2. Secondary succession occurs when the process of primary succession is disrupted, so the process must begin again. In the desert, secondary succession is shown in overgrazed pastures.