5.1 Soil Systems Flashcards
Leaching
when precipitation is greater than evaporation and water travels down the soil
Salinization
when evaporation is greater than precipitation, water moves upwards through the soil
Porosity
the amount of air space between particles
Drainage
how fast water can go through soil
Water Holding Capacity
how much water sticks to the soil (the ability for soil to hold water)
Permeable
the allowing of liquids and gasses to pass through
Percolation
the movement of water through the soil
Infiltration
the intake of water through the surface of the ground
Saturation
the amount at which soils are filled with water
Wilting Point
when the soil becomes very dry and holds strongly onto its remaining water particles making it difficult for plant roots to extract the water
Loam
the perfect soil composition for growing vegetation
Hummus
dark organic matter on the top layer of the soil
