Gypseous soils occur predominantly in the arid and semiarid parts environments. The National Cooperative Soil Survey often mapped gypseous soils at low intensity levels. Gypseous soils in the western US primarily occur on federal lands. These lands are of limited cropland value and consequently have not been mapped and investigated as thoroughly as soils having higher potential for food and fiber production.

Chemical and mineralogical properties imposed by high levels of gypsum are problematic to routine testing and analyses that serve as the basis for most suitability or limitation ratings. The lack intensive investigation has resulted in a knowledge gap in the Soil Survey Program with few soil scientists having extensive experience or understanding of gypseous soils. Gypseous soils often exhibit morphological properties that current descriptive terms fail to define features adequately. Chemical reactions and interactions with other salts further complicate the understanding of gypseous soils.

The NRCS is updating soil mapping around the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Land use is mostly military testing and wildlife habitat. Gypsum content ranges from 0 to over 95 percent. Gypseous soils occur on alluvial fans, stream terraces, flood plains, lake plains, and dune fields emplaced by alluvial and eolian actions as well as evaporative precipitation. Soils may exhibit little pedogenic alteration to horizons containing pronounced petrogypsic horizons. Salinity varies widely and water tables may be present at the soil surface or not at all.

When left as unaltered or undeveloped wild lands, there was little concern of the effects of high levels of gypsum. As more intensive land use and management occurs, concerns arise regarding impact of use upon these lands. The concern is about the environmental aspects and quality, as well as the prediction of impacts to emplaced development including transportation systems, buildings, buried infrastructure, and other civil works.