Soil&Natural Conservation Flashcards
(52 cards)
What are the two main groups of soil components?
The two main groups of soil components are organic components and inorganic components.
What are the organic components of soil?
The organic components of soil are humus and living organisms.
What is organic matter (humus)?
Organic matter is derived from the dead and decaying matter of every living thing on and below the earth. It consists of a mixture of residues and remains of plants and animals.
What does humus refer to?
Humus refers to well decayed or well decomposed organic matter; it is a stable dark brown substance.
What is the importance of humus in soil?
Humus increases the fertility of soil.
Humus helps soil to absorb and retain moisture.
How does humus affect soil texture?
Humus reduces the stickiness of clay soil and increases the plasticity of sandy soil.
What are the living organisms found in soil?
Living organisms in soil include earthworms, ants, and bacteria.
These organisms help in the decomposition of dead plants and animals.
What is the role of mineral particles in soil?
Mineral particles include gravel, sand, silt, and clay, which nourish plants.
What are the properties of sandy soil?
Sandy soil holds very little water, has large air spaces, and cannot be molded.
What is soil air and its significance?
Soil air provides oxygen for living organisms to respire and controls soil temperature.
What is the function of soil water?
Soil water transports nutrients to parts of the plants where they are needed.
What are the properties of loamy soil?
Loamy soil has a high amount of organic matter, moderate air, and retains moderate water.
What are the properties of clay soil?
Clay soil has very small particles, becomes hard when dry, and holds more water than sand.
What is a food chain?
A food chain is a linear feeding relationship in an ecosystem.
How is energy transferred in a food chain?
Energy is transferred from producers through a series of organisms, with each stage feeding on the preceding stage and providing food for the succeeding ones.
What does a food chain illustrate?
A food chain illustrates a simple linear link between different organisms in an ecosystem, showing how one organism depends on another directly for food.
What is the purpose of the experiment?
To determine the presence of living organisms in the soil.
What materials are needed for the experiment?
Lime water, garden soil, conical flask, rubber cork, piece of cloth, string, heated garden soil.
What is the first step in the procedure?
Put some fresh garden soil into a piece of cloth and tie it with a string and label it A.
What should be done with the lime water?
Place some lime water into the conical flask.
How should the soil be placed in the conical flask?
Hang the soil in the cloth in the conical flask without dipping it in the lime water.
What should be done to seal the conical flask?
Cork the conical flask with the rubber cork so that no air can enter the flask.
What is a soil profile?
A soil profile is the vertical cross-section through the soil from the top to the bedrock, showing the various horizons of which the soil is composed.
What can be observed when a deep trench is dug or a hill is cut during construction?
A series of layers of soil can be seen, differing in colour, texture, structure, and thickness.
