Dry Salt Flats occurring on the flat-floored bottoms of interior desert basins which do not qualify as Wetland are included in this category. On aerial photographs, Dry Salt Flats tend to appear white or light toned because of the high concentrations of salts at the surface as water has been evaporated, resulting in a higher albedo than other adjacent desert features. This type is similar to Alkali Playa communities (46000) but with less vegetative cover. Unusual conditions, such as a heavy rainfall, occasionally result in growth of a short-lived, more luxuriant plant cover.
DISTRIBUTION:
Primarily occurs in the desert regions of California, but occurs in some cismontane areas as well.
Source: Modified by the California Gap Analysis Project from Anderson et al., 1976.