Biosphere

Question 1

Podzol

Answer 1

Climate - high level of precip. = leaching of minerals creating and iron pan. Drainage is poor as the iron pan restricts passage of water through soil. Climate affects colour of soil as leaching causes podsolization which removes iron & other minerals creating ash grey layer.
Relief - tend to be found on upper slopes of upland areas where precip. is heavy or vegetation is coniferous forest, producing an acid humus.
Organisms - acid conditions not liked by soil organisms which would normally mix boundaries of horizons so distinctive horizons formed.
Vegetaion - associated with coniferous forests and pine needles result in creation of acid soil.
Parent material - slow rate of weathering of parent rock gives shallow soil which, due to acidity and lack of humus, usually infertile.

Question 2

Brown Earth

Answer 2

Climate - formed under warm climates. Encourages organic material to decay well & add humus to soil. Precip. > evap. giving downward leaching of most soluble minerals being washed downwards. Could lead to production of iron pan = slows down drainage = flooding.
Relief - often found on well drained slopes with little build up of excess water, limits degree of leaching within soil.
Organisms - Earthworms, mix soil well keeping it ventilated. Merge boundaries between horizons meaning they’re not distinct.
Vegetaion - original vegetation was deciduous forest, resulting in layer of decaying leaves giving deep thick humus layer. Deep roots of trees penetrate deep into soil, ensuring recycling minerals back to vegetation.
Parent material - weathered parent material producing thinner soils.

Question 3

Gley

Answer 3

Climate - subsoil in tundra areas remain frozen throughout year. During brief summer ground surface thaws but meltwater can’t drain freely due to frozen subsoil causing soil to be waterlogged.
Relief - found on gentler slopes or areas of high rainfall where water doesn’t drain away very readily.
Organisms - waterlogged for all/most of year. Denies the soil the O2 the organisms need to survive. Organisms left in soil extract the O2 they need to survive from iron compounds & soil gradually turns grey, blue or green as O2 is used up.
Vegetaion - very slow breakdown of plant material with low shurbs = partially decomposed organic layer.
Parent material - usually thick clay and impermeable.