Pres. 4

Question 1

What is soil?

Answer 1

A complex ecosystem that is made up of minerals, organic material, gases and liquids which form the habitat for many animals and plants.

Question 2

Why is soil important?

Answer 2

Soil is essential for supporting plant life, which in turn supports animal life and contributes to the overall ecosystem.

Question 3

What percentage of soil is made up of minerals?

Answer 3

45%

Question 4

What percentage of soil is made up of air?

Answer 4

25%

Question 5

What percentage of soil is made up of water?

Answer 5

25%

Question 6

What percentage of soil is made up of organic matter?

Answer 6

5%

Question 7

What is the uppermost layer of soil that contains newly added organic material?

Answer 7

Humus

Humus comes from organisms that die and decompose on the top of the soil.

Question 8

What is humus formed from?

Answer 8

Partially decomposed organic matter mixed with mineral particles.

Question 9

What are deposits of soluble minerals and organic matter referred to as?

Answer 9

Deposits of soluble minerals and organic matter.

Question 10

What is the term for the material from which soil develops?

Answer 10

Parent material.

Question 11

What is bedrock?

Answer 11

The solid rock underlying soil.

Question 12

What is deforestation?

Answer 12

Deforestation exposes soils to wind and rain, causing erosion.

Question 13

What is soil erosion?

Answer 13

Soil erosion removes fertile topsoil.

Question 14

How does climate change affect soil?

Answer 14

Climate change leads to more extreme weather, causing droughts, rainfall, and flooding.

Question 15

What is the impact of overgrazing?

Answer 15

Overgrazing results in less plant cover and compaction of soil from heavy animals.

Question 16

What are the effects of overuse of fertilizers and pesticides?

Answer 16

Overuse of fertilizers and pesticides destroys the soil and plants.

Question 17

How does urbanization contribute to soil degradation?

Answer 17

Urbanization increases pollution and changes soil structure through sealing and compaction.

Question 18

What is the impact of agriculture on soil?

Answer 18

Agriculture, particularly monoculture, exposes topsoil when plants are harvested.

Question 19

What impact does degraded soil have on our ecosystem related to landslides?

Answer 19

Degraded soil can lead to landslides.

Question 20

What impact does degraded soil have on our ecosystem related to floods?

Answer 20

Degraded soil can contribute to floods.

Question 21

What impact does degraded soil have on pollution?

Answer 21

Degraded soil can increase pollution.

Question 22

What impact does degraded soil have on biodiversity?

Answer 22

Degraded soil results in a loss of biodiversity.

Question 23

How does degraded soil affect global food production?

Answer 23

Degraded soil leads to declining global food production.

Question 24

What is desertification in relation to degraded soil?

Answer 24

Desertification occurs when soils completely dry out.

Question 25

What impact does degraded soil have on water pollution?

Answer 25

Degraded soil can cause water pollution.

Question 26

How does degraded soil affect plants?

Answer 26

Degraded soil can lead to plants with elevated contaminants.

Question 27

What is reforestation?

Answer 27

Reforestation involves planting trees in an area where forest has been cut down or destroyed.

Question 28

What is afforestation?

Answer 28

Afforestation is the process of planting trees in an area that has not been forested for a long time.

Question 29

What are sustainable farming practices?

Answer 29

Sustainable farming includes using organic fertilizers and pesticides, crop rotation, crop cover, drip irrigation, mulching, and reducing tillage.

Question 30

How can pollution be reduced in agriculture?

Answer 30

Pollution can be reduced by using fewer chemicals and burning less fossil fuels.

Question 31

What is land use planning?

Answer 31

Land use planning is the process of managing land resources to prevent degradation and promote sustainable use.

Question 32

What are wind and water breaks?

Answer 32

Wind and water breaks are structures or vegetation used to protect crops from wind and water erosion.

Question 33

Why is education of soil use important?

Answer 33

Education of soil use is crucial for promoting sustainable practices and improving soil health.

Question 34

What role do policies play in soil use and agriculture?

Answer 34

Policies for soil use and agriculture help regulate practices to ensure sustainability and prevent degradation.

Question 36

What climate factors affect food growth?

Answer 36

Some foods can only grow in certain climates, and we adapt this through irrigation and using greenhouses to artificially alter the climate.

Question 37

How do cultural and religious factors influence food choices?

Answer 37

There are rules on what you can and cannot eat, and our traditions and culture determine what we prefer.

Question 38

What political factors can influence food production?

Answer 38

Governments can subsidize or put tariffs on some foods to encourage or discourage their production.

Question 39

How do socio-economic factors affect food supply and demand?

Answer 39

Market forces determine supply and demand.

Question 40

What factors determine what you eat?

Answer 40

Consider climate, cultural and religious influences, political factors, and socio-economic conditions.