Soils Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is a soil
the outermost layer of earth
formed by the weathering of rocks
name 3 of the key functions of soil
provision of food, fibre, and fuel, flood regulation and nutrient cycling
how do soils provide services
food production
raw soils are used for construction
soilds procide fresh fresh water
How do soils regulate
air quality
storing carbon
filter water
mitigate flooding
how do soils support growth
good for nutrient cycling
soils support organisms which photosynthesise
soil formation
what cultural services do soil provide
important componant for recreational and other outdoor spaces
presevres archaeology
hoe do soils form
silicate dust is generate by impact events
pristine after millios of years
water air and life turn impact materials into soil
How are mineral soils formed
formed by the weathering of rock masses to unconsolidated and often transported materials
how are organic soils formed
formed by plant materials eg peat
what is weathering
The physical and chemical breakdown of rocks and other materials
rock types
igneous
metamorphic
sedimentary
organic inputs are
when organic matter is incorporated rocks becoem soil
plants and dead animals are examples of organic matter
The soil forming factors have the acronym CLORPT what are these
CL- climate
O- organisms
R- releif
P- parental material
T- time
What is parent material
materials that can become soil
what examples of parent material are there
granite
delta deposits
glacial till
accumilated organic material
how can the climate impact soils
Acidic soil forms in humid areas
rainfal causes erosion of soil on sloping land
what do micro organisms do for soil growth
they decompose organic matter and form weak acids
What is the main difference between grassland and arable soils
grassland soils are rich in decomposed organic matter arrabel soils are not
how does topography and releif influence soil formation
by modification of water and tempurature
eg on steep hill sides soil gets less water
what happens to soil on slopes
it decreases soil depth is better drained and sees higher erosion
what influences the time soil takes to form
faster in warmer climates
glacial till forms soil fast
what are soil horizons
The different layers of soil, for example, top topsoil looks different from the soil at the bottom
name the soil formation proccess
additions
removals
transformation
mixing
translocation
lecture 1/3 compleet
