soils

Question 1

Soil is developed most directly through..

Answer 1

Weathering

Question 2

O-Horizon contains…

Answer 2

Leaf-litter, humus, freshly fallen leaves

Question 3

Topsoil(A-Horizon) contains…

Answer 3

Plant roots, humus, and some inorganic materials

Question 4

What horizon of soil contains no organic matter and is composed of parent material?

Answer 4

C-Horizon

Question 5

The surface litter horizon is…

Answer 5

O-Horizon

Question 6

The zones that compose a mature soil are called..

Answer 6

Horizons

Question 7

A cross-sectional view of the ___ in a soil is properly termed a soil ___

Answer 7

Horizon; Proflie

Question 8

Weathering

Answer 8

Gradual breaking down and wearing away of exposed rocks

Question 9

Soil is a complex mix of …

Answer 9

mineral nutrients, eroded rocks, air and water, and decaying organic matter

Question 10

The A-Horizon of soil is called..

Answer 10

Topsoil

Question 11

what is soil?

Answer 11

• A dynamic, living system
• Facilitates the relationship between the living and non-living components of terrestrial ecosystems
• It’s critical for the long-term health of agriculture, forestry and urban ecosystems
• it keeps terrestical ecosystems in balance

Question 12

Soil texture

Answer 12

Soil texture refers to the amount of sand, slit and day particles Present in the sail
* Soil Porosity is a function of soil texture
high Porosity = lots of space between Particles
low Porosity = little space between Particles

Question 13

what are pores?

Answer 13

Pores are spaces between particles

Question 14

Clay

Answer 14

Pores are spaces between
* Small Pores (micropores) à drain slowly
Particles.
binds water and nutrients makes soils feel sticky

Question 15

Slit

Answer 15

• Medium Pores & drains fairly well
  -holds more moisture than sandy soils and easily compacted
  -makes soil feel Slippery

Question 16

Sand

Answer 16

Large Pores (macropores) & drains quickly after rain or watering
- dries out Quickly
* Manes soils feel gritty

Question 17

Loam

Answer 17

• Mixture of clay, silt and sand
  -best suited for crops and great for Plant growth
  -a combination of pore sizes which is great for air and water movement

Question 18

Soil Horizons

Answer 18

Soil horizons are is distinct layers formed by 5 primary factors” Parent Material, Climate, Topography, Vegetation, Time

Question 19

What is O-Horizon?

Answer 19

litter
It contains organic matter, things like lose leaves and organic debris that are beginning to decompose.
* Thin in Prairie agricultural soils
*Thicker in forest soils

Question 20

What is A-Horizon?

Answer 20

topsoil
Organic matter mixed with minerals.
* Thicker in grassland soils
* Highest nutrient availability and abundant biological activity

Question 21

What is B-Horizon?

Answer 21

Leaching
-Minerals and organic matter more in and out depending on climate &
* Results in a horizon of various colours, textures, nutrient levels, vegetation

Question 22

What is C-Horizon?

Answer 22

Subsoil
-Parent material that could have originated from glaciers, rivers, volcanic deposits or weathered bedrock.
*higher concentration of olay & accumulation of leeched matter

Question 23

What is D-Horizon?

Answer 23

Bedrock
-Consolidated rock that cannot be dug through with a spade even when moist.
It’s not commonly found in Southern So but it’s present in the north

Question 24

what are the factors of soil formation?

Answer 24

• Time - soil formation ranges from decades- thousands of years
• Climate - Differences in decimates cause weathering of soil to happen at different rates
  Landscape- Hills, valleys Prairies will be affected by the weather in different ways
• Organisms - Plants and animal influence formation largely by transfers of nutrients and energy
• Parent Material-Geological base will influence the soil characteristics
  Such as texture, fertility and resistance to erosion

Question 25

formation of soil process

Answer 25

1) Weathering 2\Erosion 3) Decomposition

Question 26

Climate

Answer 26

Landscape Organisms Parent Material Time

Question 27

Weathering

Answer 27

Weathering-Breaking down rocks el minerals a) Physical weathering is caused by the weather ex. wind, freezing, rain b) chemical weathering is caused by water, oxygen, carbon dioxide and soil acidity

Question 28

Erosion

Answer 28

Erosion - Displacement of soil, sediment and rock fragments. - loss of nutrients and organic matter - a result of Abiotic factors (water flowing, wind ice) or human activities (poor farming or deforestation)

Question 29

Decomposition

Answer 29

Decomposition: Breakdown of complex organic matter -7 basic nutrients elements that are recycled and teen up by plants. - breakdown of organic substances (manureà plan + (litter) - alters the chemical composition of organic matter in soil

Question 30

V —-> C —-> S

Answer 30

Vegetation: provides nutrients via 0.M(prevent soil erosion) Climate: Precipitation helps plant growth Soil: anchor plants, adjust soil PH(minerals)

Question 31

what are soil microorganisms?

Answer 31

they decompose plants and return

Question 32

time

Answer 32

soil formation ranges from decades- thousands of years

Question 33

Climate

Answer 33

Differences in decimate cause weathering of soil to happen at different rates

Question 34

landscape

Answer 34

Hills, valleys Prairies will be affected by the weather in different ways

Question 35

Organisms

Answer 35

Plants and animal influence formation largely by transfers of nutrients and energy

Question 36

Parental material

Answer 36

Geological base will influence the soil characteristics Such as texture, fertility and resistance to erosion

Question 37

biotic

Answer 37

living

Question 38

abiotic

Answer 38

non-living

Question 39

Abrasion

Answer 39

Scrape along the land

Question 40

till

Answer 40

mixture of sand and gravel

Question 41

hydrosphere

Answer 41

all gaseous, liquid, solid water on earth

Question 42

cryosphere

Answer 42

glaciers, icebergs and icecaps

Question 43

biosphere

Answer 43

all living things on the planet, plants animals, and microorganisms

Question 44

biomes

Answer 44

extensive, ecological community, vegetation

Question 45

lithosphere

Answer 45

made up of all hard 8 solid landmass on the surface, semi-solid rocks, and liquid core, subdivided into crust, mantle, outer, and inner core.

Question 46

atmosphere

Answer 46

All air in the atmosphere. slit into the stratosphere, troposphere, mesosphere, exosphere, thermosphere

Question 47

troposphere

Answer 47

most weather oocurs

Question 48

plate tectonics

Answer 48

theory earth's outer shell is divided into several plates that glide over mantle, caused by convection, hot rises