soil Flashcards
(9 cards)
what is soil
integrated mixture of organic matter and weathered bedrock
podzols
livestock can be grazed
arable farming is difficult
acidity and lack of nutrients means few crops can grow
prone to water logging
coniferous trees grow successfully
latosols
red
very deep
30-40m deep
under rainforests
poor for agriculture due to low nutrient content
when trees are removed more rain reaches the soil making the nutrient even more poor
when trees are burned nutrients are added to the soil from the ash
large areas of land are cleared for arable farming
factors making soil erosion more vulnerable
high rainfall
topography - steep slopes increase rainfall
clearing vegetation
land use
management stratagies to reduce soil erosion
terracing - big steps built into the side of the hill to stop water running down as fast
windbreaks - lines of trees or hedges planted around the field to prevent wind erosion
contour ploughing - ploughing across the slope instead of down the slope, stops rainwater from flowing downhill as fast
what are the issues with soil and agriculture
water logging
salinisation
structural deterioration
water logging causes, agriculture problems and management statergies
causes - more precipitation than evapotranspiration , soils with few airspace fill up fast
problems - too much water around the roots rots them and limes growth
soil temp decrease limiting growth
management strategies - avoid over watering , drain soil using drainage ditches or underground pipes.
salinisation causes problems management strategies
causes- high temp evaporating water and leaving salts
problems - slats prevent the roots form absorbing the nutrients and water its needs.
management flush the soil with water
prevent water logging
structural deterioration causes problems management strategies
causes- heavy machinery , trampling by livestock compacts soil
problems - compacted soil if difficult for plants to grow
management strategies - avoid compaction by regularlly moving livestock
