Environmental Biology Chapter 13 – Flashcards
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Soil Science
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the study of soil as a natural resource on the surface of the Earth
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S= f(cl, o, r, p, t)
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-Hans Jenny's developed conceptual equation -(S) is a function of climate (cl), (o) is organism's, (r.) is topography, (t) is time, and (p) is parent material
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Pedology
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scientific study of soils
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What is earth composed of?
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an outer crust, a thick mantle, and a central core
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Crust
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an extremely thin, less dense solid covering over the mantle
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Mantle
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this layer makes up majority of Earth made of elemental rock
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Lithosphere
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crust + outer mantle
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Asthenosphere
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inner mantle (more like liquid, capable of flow)
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Core
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consists of iron and nickel with solid center and liquid outer region
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Plate Tectonics
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concept that the outer surface of the Earth consists of large plates composed of the crust and outer mantle
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Weathering
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building processes (plate tectonics) are counteracted by processes that make elevated surfaces lower
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Mechanical Weathering
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physical forces that reduce size of rock particles without changing chemical makeup
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Abrasion
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physical breakdown of rock by grinding
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Chemical Weathering
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-chemical alteration of the rock so that it's more likely to dissolve or fragment -some types include oxidation, hydrolysis, and acid rain
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Erosion
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the wearing away and the transportation of soil by water, wind, or ice
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Land
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area that's not covered by ocean
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Soil
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thin covering of a mixture of minerals, organic material, living organisms, air and water
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What are the 5 Soil Forming Factors?
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1. Parent Material - The materials in which soils form. 2. Climate - Soil formation varies depending on temp., moisture and intensity. 3. Topography - Slope and aspect affect the moisture and temp. of soil. 4. Biological Factors - Effected by plants, animals, microorganisms, and humans. 5. Time - Soil formation processes are continuous.
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Humus
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the material resulting from plant and animal decay
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What are the 5 Properties of Soil?
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Soil Texture - Determined by the size of particles in the soil. Structure - The way various soil particles clump together. Good soil is Friable. (crumbles easily) Atmosphere - Oxygen, temperature, and water levels of soil. Moisture - Combination of water and oxygen could wilt or drown plants. Biotic Content - Protozoa, nematodes, earthworms, insects, algae, bacteria, and fungi. Chemical Composition - Chemical activities change complex organic materials
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What is the ideal agricultural soil?
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loam
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Soil Profile
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a series of horizontal layers in the soil that differ in chemical composition, physical properties, particle and amount of organic matter
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Horizon
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each layer of soil
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Horizon O
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a layer of litter (undecomposed organic matter ex. leaves), usually in forests
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Horizon A
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topsoil with small minerals mixed with organic matter
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Leaching
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process when water moves down through the A horizon and carries dissolved organic matter and minerals to lower layers
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Horizon E
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soil level below Horizon A that is light colored due to leaching of iron, very little nutrients
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Horizon B
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often called subsoil, contains less organic material and organisms than Horizon A, but has many nutrients and minerals for plants (often full of clay)
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Horizon C
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weathered parent material, determines pH and mineral composition of the soil
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Horizon R
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bedrock - hard layer of cemented rocks and stone
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What are three major soil types?
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Grassland Soil, Forest Soil, and Desert Soil
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Wind Erosion
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most common in dry, treeless areas
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The Dust Bowl
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Great Plains of America: there was good crops yield and high prices which caused more farmers to plant more and devote more land to farming. After there plant failed, they plowed there fields leaving them exposed.This caused the high wind of the Plains to erode the soil. The wind destroyed over 8.5 million acres and damage another 75 million acres.
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1930 Government Actions on Erosion
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The Emergency Farm Mortgage act. The Farm Bankruptcy act. The Drought Relief service. The Resettlement Administration. The Soil Conservation Service.
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What are the Soil Quality Management Components?
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-Enhance Organic Matter -Avoid Excessive Tillage -Manage Pest and Nutrients Efficiently -Prevent Soil Compaction -Keep The Ground Covered -Diversify Cropping Systems
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Contour Farming
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Farming at a right angle on a hill instead of down the hill (way to prevent erosion)
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Strip Farming
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Alternation of closely sewn crops (hay or wheat) with row crops (corn)... Useful for steeper hills (way to prevent erosion)
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Terrace Farming
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Stacked leveled areas on a slope, constructing flat surface along the hill at a right angle..for very steep hills (way to prevent erosion)
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Windbreaks
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Planting trees or other plants help protect the soil from wind and prevent it from blowing away (way to prevent erosion)
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U.S. Soil Conservation Service: Land Classification System
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-Land is classified 8 ways, first 4 suitable for agriculture -Each area of classification described by characteristics, capability, and the protection strategies -Helps encourage wise use of land and decrease overall damage
