What is a characteristic of very coarse textured soils, such as coarse sands?

Very coarse textured soils, such as coarse sands, are characterized by their large particle size, which significantly influences their physical properties. One of the primary characteristics of these soils is their susceptibility to wind erosion. This occurs because the larger particles are less densely packed and can be easily moved by wind forces. The low cohesion among the larger soil particles makes it easier for them to be lifted and carried away by strong winds, especially in dry conditions where there is minimal vegetation to anchor the soil.

The other characteristics listed do not apply to very coarse textured soils. These soils typically have a low moisture-holding capacity due to the large spaces between the particles, which makes it difficult for water to be retained effectively. They also exhibit high rates of water infiltration, allowing water to pass through quickly rather than being retained. Finally, their ability to retain nutrients is generally low, since the larger particles have less surface area for holding onto nutrients compared to finer textured soils. Therefore, susceptibility to wind erosion aligns with the innate properties of very coarse textured soils.