essay on soil Flashcards
(47 cards)
What is plant distribution?
The spatial pattern of where plant species are found across a landscape, determined by environmental, biological, and historical factors.
How does soil influence plant distribution?
Soil determines water availability, nutrient levels, pH, aeration, and structure—key factors that shape which plant species can survive and reproduce in a given location.
What soil type is associated with tropical rainforests?
Oxisols – highly weathered, acidic, low in nutrients, but vegetation thrives due to fast nutrient cycling.
What biome is supported by Gelisols?
Tundra – cold, permafrost-affected soils that limit root depth and drainage, supporting mosses and dwarf shrubs.
What soil type supports temperate grasslands?
Mollisols – deep, nutrient-rich soils ideal for productive grasses and agriculture.
What makes serpentine soils unique?
High in heavy metals, low in nutrients; only specialist plants with tolerance to metal toxicity survive (e.g. Streptanthus polygaloides).
What plants dominate chalk grasslands and why?
Calcicolous species like Helianthemum nummularium, due to alkaline, well-drained soils.
Which soil type supports heathlands in the UK?
Acidic, nutrient-poor podsols; species include Calluna vulgaris.
What kind of soil forms peat bogs, and what grows there?
Waterlogged, anaerobic soils; Sphagnum mosses and acid-tolerant plants thrive.
What is MG5 in the NVC?
A mesotrophic grassland community associated with moderately fertile soils.
What is H12 in the NVC?
A heathland community adapted to acidic, nutrient-poor soils.
What did Hans Jenny contribute to plant ecology?
Wrote Factors of Soil Formation—outlined the CLORPT model (Climate, Organisms, Relief, Parent material, Time) as controls on soil and plant patterns.
What is John Philip Grime known for?
Plant Strategies, Vegetation Processes—introduced CSR model (Competitor, Stress-tolerator, Ruderal) and functional approaches to plant ecology.
What is Ellenberg best known for?
Ellenberg Indicator Values—quantitative scales that show how plants respond to soil moisture, pH, nutrients, etc.
What resource is provided by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology?
The National Vegetation Classification (NVC) Handbook—standard reference for classifying UK plant communities based on soil and habitat.
What is the Flora of the British Isles by Clapham, Tutin & Warburg used for?
Identifying British plant species—important in autecological surveys and habitat classification.
What did Fitter & Peat contribute to autecology?
The Ecological Flora Database—functional traits and habitat data for British species.
What is edaphic specialization?
When a plant is restricted to a specific soil type due to physiological adaptations.
What are calcicolous vs calcifuge plants?
Calcicolous = thrive on alkaline soils (e.g. Helianthemum), Calcifuge = prefer acidic soils (e.g. Calluna vulgaris).
How can vegetation influence soil?
Through plant-soil feedbacks—plants can alter pH, organic content, or microbial communities.
Why is soil considered in conservation planning?
It underpins habitat type and biodiversity; understanding it helps preserve plant communities and manage land effectively.
How does soil influence plant distribution?
Through physical and chemical properties (pH, texture, nutrients, drainage), soil determines which plants can establish and thrive in a location.
What is edaphic specialization?
The restriction of certain plant species to specific soil types due to adaptations to those soil conditions.
What are plant-soil feedbacks?
Processes where plants influence soil conditions (e.g., pH, organic matter), which in turn affect future plant growth—creating positive or negative feedback loops.
