5. notes and revision

Question 1

soil transfers

Answer 1

●➔ Biological mixing, translocation (movement of soil particles in suspension) and leaching (minerals dissolved in water moved through soil).

Question 1

soil storages

Answer 1

Organic matter
organisms
nutrients
minerals
air
water

Question 2

soil inputs

Answer 2

Organic material
precipitation
energy

Question 3

soil outputs

Answer 3

Uptake by plants and soil erosion.

Question 4

soil transformations

Answer 4

●➔ Decomposition, weathering and nutrient cycling.

Question 5

soil profile

Answer 5

OAEBCR HORIZONS
O Leaf litter (organic)
A top soil
E leached minerals and nutrients
B buried leached minerals
C paraent material
R hard bedrock

Old aunt edna bakes cakes regularly

Question 6

TRANSLOCATION

Answer 6

translocation is the movemnet of soil particles within the soil profile

Question 6

LEACHING

Answer 6

The process by which minerals/ nutrients are dissolved and carried downward through the soil profile by flowing water.

Question 7

SALNIZATION

Answer 7

the accumulation of salts in soil to levels that are harmful to plant growth and ecosystem health.

Question 8

differences between sand,loam and clay soil

Answer 8

Sand Soil:

Composed of larger particles
Highest porosity
HIghest permiability
Nutrient-poor, with low organic matter content.

Loam Soil:

Mixture of sand, silt, and clay particles, with balanced properties.
moderate porosity
moderate permiability
Nutrient-rich, with moderate organic matter content, supporting healthy plant growth.

Clay Soil:

Composed of small fine particles with high surface area and pore space.
lowest porosity
lowest permibility
Dense and compacted, leading to slow water infiltration and drainage.

Question 9

porosity

Answer 9

porosity refers to the amount of PORES open space or voids within the soil or rock matrix.

Question 10

Permiability

Answer 10

IS THE ABILITY OF SOIL TO LET WATER PASS THROUGH ITS PORES

is a measure of how easily fluids can move through the pore spaces or voids within the material.

Question 11

Soil acidification

Answer 11

Soil acidification refers to when the pH of soil decreases over time, leading to an increase in soil acidity.

Question 12

Subsistence farming

Answer 12

Subsistence farming is the provision of food by farmers for their own families or the local community – there is no surplus.

Question 13

Commercial farming

Answer 13

Commercial farming IS FARMING ON A LARGE SCALE MAXIMISING YEILD FOR PROFITS.

Question 14

Pastoral farming

Answer 14

Pastoral farming is raising animals, usually on grass and on land that is not suitable for crops.

Question 15

Arable farming

Answer 15

Arable farming is growing crops on good soils to eat directly or to feed to animals.

Question 16

Mixed farming

Answer 16

Mixed farming has both crops and animals and is a system in itself where animal waste is used to fertilize the crops and improve soil structure and some crops are fed to the animals.

Question 17

ways of addressing loss of soil fertility.

Answer 17

crop rotation
PLANTING LEGUMES IE NITROGEN FIXING BACTERIA
fertilization
organic matter addition
agroforestry

GLICCT

Question 18

Terrestrial versus aquatic food production systems

Answer 18

Terrestrial Food Production Systems:

Primarily involve cultivation of crops and raising livestock on land.
Examples include agriculture, horticulture, and animal husbandry.
Mainly reliant on soil for nutrient and water supply.
Vulnerable to land degradation, soil erosion, and water scarcity.
Main crops include grains, vegetables, fruits, and oilseeds.
Livestock farming includes cattle, poultry, pigs, and sheep.

Aquatic Food Production Systems:

Involve cultivation of aquatic organisms, such as fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants.
Examples include aquaculture, mariculture, and hydroponics.
Utilize water bodies such as ponds, lakes, rivers, and oceans.

Question 19

improve sustainability of food supplies

GLICCT

Answer 19

LEGUMES PLANT IE NITROGEN FIXING BACTERIA
CROP ROTATION
COVER CROPS
IMPROVEMENT IN TECH
GMO CROPS TO HAVE NITROGEN FIXING BACTERIA
TRICKLE IRIGATION (LESS WATER WASTE)

GLICCT

Question 20

Soil degradation

Answer 20

Soil degradation refers to the deterioration of soil quality and health, often resulting from human activities and natural processes.

Question 21

Causes of soil degradation

Answer 21

deforestation
erosion
overgrazing
agricultural practices
urbanization
pollution
climate change

DEO

Question 22

ways of conserving soil

GLICCT

Answer 22

Cover Cropping:
Plant cover crops during fallow periods to protect soil from erosion, suppress weeds, and add organic matter.
Crop Rotation:
Rotate crops with different nutrient requirements to prevent soil nutrient depletion and pest buildup.
PLANTING LEGUMES Leguminous crops fix atmospheric nitrogen, enriching soil fertility and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Agroforestry:
Trees provide shade, windbreaks, and nutrient cycling benefits, reducing erosion and enhancing soil fertility.