5. notes and revision Flashcards
soil transfers
●➔ Biological mixing, translocation (movement of soil particles in suspension) and leaching (minerals dissolved in water moved through soil).
soil storages
Organic matter
organisms
nutrients
minerals
air
water
soil inputs
Organic material
precipitation
energy
soil outputs
Uptake by plants and soil erosion.
soil transformations
●➔ Decomposition, weathering and nutrient cycling.
soil profile
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
TRANSLOCATION
translocation is the movemnet of soil particles within the soil profile
LEACHING
The process by which minerals/ nutrients are dissolved and carried downward through the soil profile by flowing water.
SALNIZATION
the accumulation of salts in soil to levels that are harmful to plant growth and ecosystem health.
differences between sand,loam and clay soil
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.
porosity
porosity refers to the amount of PORES open space or voids within the soil or rock matrix.
Permiability
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.
Soil acidification
Soil acidification refers to when the pH of soil decreases over time, leading to an increase in soil acidity.
Subsistence farming
Subsistence farming is the provision of food by farmers for their own families or the local community – there is no surplus.
Commercial farming
Commercial farming IS FARMING ON A LARGE SCALE MAXIMISING YEILD FOR PROFITS.
Pastoral farming
Pastoral farming is raising animals, usually on grass and on land that is not suitable for crops.
Arable farming
Arable farming is growing crops on good soils to eat directly or to feed to animals.
Mixed farming
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.
crop rotation
PLANTING LEGUMES IE NITROGEN FIXING BACTERIA
fertilization
organic matter addition
agroforestry
GLICCT
Terrestrial versus aquatic food production systems
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.
improve sustainability of food supplies
GLICCT
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
Soil degradation
Soil degradation refers to the deterioration of soil quality and health, often resulting from human activities and natural processes.
Causes of soil degradation
deforestation
erosion
overgrazing
agricultural practices
urbanization
pollution
climate change
DEO
ways of conserving soil
GLICCT
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.
