4.5 - Soils Flashcards
Outline different soils, their locations and their characteristics (14 cards)
What are 3 Characteristics of Tropical Red Latosols?
> Infertile
Fast nutrient cycle
Easily eroded
Where are Tropical Red Latosols Located?
Five degrees either side of the equator; in the tropical belt
What are 3 Characteristics of Podsols?
> Moist; receives high degrees of infiltration and percolation
Very poor nutrient cycle
Acidic
Where are Podsols Located
> In northern regions with cooler climates
Zonal soil of the taiga
Associated with coniferous evergreens
What is Soil Classification?
The common zonal system which subdivides the Earth’s soils into 3 major categories.
Define Zonal Soil
Mature soils reflecting climatic conditions and associated vegetation
Define Intrazonal Soil
Reflecting the dominance of other factors, such as the characteristics of the parent rock
Define Azonal Soil
Generally immature and skeletal, with poorly developed profiles
What is the Profile of a Tropical Red Latosol?
- Thick litter layer
- Grey-red quickly formed humus layer
- Many Active Biota
- Rapid leaching
- Build of iron oxides
- Yellowish lower horizon due to built of silica
- Parent material
What is the Profile of a Podsol?
- Thin, slowly decaying litter layer
- Black, thick, mor humus
- Increasing acidity
- Bleached, fine central horizon
- Organic matter atop a hard iron pan
- Iron stained clays
- Parent material
What Causes a Fast Nutrient Cycle in Tropical Red Latosols?
The year-round growing season leads to a constant shedding of organic matter which, combined with the high humidity, is constantly decomposed
What Causes a Slow Nutrient Cycle in Podsols?
Coniferous evergreens don’t take up many nutrients and so their slowly decomposing leaves return very little to the soil - hence the mor humus
How do Tropical Red Latosols Erode Quickly?
When forests are cleared, the nutrients and protection provided is lost and the soils quickly become exposed to gullying by the constant tropical rain
How do Podsols Maintain the Taiga Water Cycle?
The soils are used as a store, with the trees protecting them from freezing winds. Precipitation exceeds evapotranspiration so the trees can move water between the soils and themselves.
