Chapter 15 #2 Flashcards
Soil Texture
relative proportions of different sized inorganic particles of silt, sand, and clay
Sand
largest soil particle
.05mm-2mm
Silt
Medium sized particles
.002mm-.05mm
Clay
smallest particles
<.002mm
ions
charged (+/-) forms of particles
loam
ideal agricultural soil
40% sand
40% silt
20% clay
Soil Acidity
pH
most soils 4 to 8
some outside
influences plants, and other life
soil taxonomy
classification of soils into 12 orders then into a series
spodosols
coniferous forests
acidic O
leached E
Dark B, rich in orgainic material, illuvial
acidic, nutrient poor
alfisols
temperate deciduous
brown-gray A
fertile plant litter
mollisols
soft plant life
semiarid grasslands
humus-rich A
aridisols
arid
no distinct layers of illuviation
not much organic matter
some have salty O
Oxisols
low nutrient
tropical, subtropical
little litter because rapid decomposition
A rich with humus
B leached, acidic
Sustainable Soil use
wise use of soil so fertility or amount of soil does not drop
benefits future generations
Soil erosion
water, wind, ice, other agents
wearing away or removal of soil from land
accelerated by poor management of soil