Caliche is a hardened deposit of calcium carbonate that forms in arid and semi-arid regions within the soil or at the surface. It can act as a cement, binding together soil particles and forming a hard, impervious layer. Caliche is significant in soil science and desert geomorphology, as it affects soil development, water infiltration, and plant growth.
Reference: Gile, L. H., Hawley, J. W., & Grossman, R. B. (1966). “Morphological and Genetic Sequences of Caliche Formation in Desert Soils.” Soil Science, 101(5), 347-360.