soil Flashcards
(15 cards)
what are the 5 components of soil?
- mineral skeleton
- air
- water
- living organisms
- organic matter
what factors control soil formation?
soil ( S )
climate ( cl )
organisms ( o )
topography/relief ( r )
parent material ( p )
time ( t )
what does s represent?
soil - represents the soil properties, including its texture, structure, chemical composition, and biological activity
what does cl represent?
climate - refers to the overall atmospheric conditions, including temperature, precipitation and wind patterns
what does o represent?
organisms - includes the effects of plants, animals, and microorganisms on the soil
what does r represent?
relief/topography - represents the shape and elevation of the land, influencing water flow and erosion patterns
what does p represent?
parent material - the underlying rock or sediment from which the soil develops
what does t represent?
time - the duration over which soil formation occurs, which can be thousands of years
what is soil fertility?
soil fertility is the ability of soil to sustain plant growth
what are the 3 types of water?
- gravitational water
- capillary water
- hygroscopic water
what is gravitational water?
spaces filled by air or water drains from soil easily
what is capillary water?
water held by soil particles so does not drain from soil, but it can be absorbed by plants
what is hygroscopic water?
held by adhesive forces on the mineral particle, cannot be absorbed by plants
how does water affect the soil?
- amount of water in soil affects overall fertility
- water needs to be available to the plant but not waterlogged
how does air content affect soil?
most living organisms (worms) and lots of processes need air so a waterlogged soil is less fertile
