human impact on soil

Question 1

what is organic soil made of?

Answer 1

partially decomposed leaves and grass

Question 2

what is the function of organic soil?

Answer 2

limit temperature variation and water loss

Question 3

what is top soil made of?

Answer 3

chiefly of rock and humus

Question 4

what is the function of top soil?

Answer 4

-rich in nutrients, oxygen and water– plants get most of their nutrients from this layer

Question 5

what is subsoil made of?

Answer 5

large rock with a little humus

Question 6

what are the 2 functions of subsoil?

Answer 6

• fair amount of nutrient, oxygen and water

- plants that have deeper roots can get some nutrients from this layer

Question 7

what is bedrock made of?

Answer 7

rock layer

Question 8

what is the function of bedrock?

Answer 8

this is where the soil is formed from

Question 9

what is humus?

Answer 9

decaying plant and animal matter

Question 10

what is every soil type made of?

Answer 10

sand, silt, clay

Question 11

what is loam soil made of?

Answer 11

sand, silt, clay

Question 12

how large are spaces in loam soil?

Answer 12

large enough for air and water to flow in

Question 13

can plants grow through spaces in loam soil?

Answer 13

yes

Question 14

what is clay soil made of?

Answer 14

mostly clay

Question 15

how large are spaces in clay soil?

Answer 15

no air and water can get in

Question 16

can plants grow through clay soil?

Answer 16

no, they cannot push through it

Question 17

what is sandy soil made of?

Answer 17

mostly sand

Question 18

how large are spaces in sandy soil?

Answer 18

very big but does not hold water easily

Question 19

can plant roots grow through sandy soil?

Answer 19

no, they cannot hold onto the soil

Question 20

what is silt soil made of?

Answer 20

mostly silt

Question 21

can silt soil hold water and nutrients?

Answer 21

yes

Question 22

can plants grow through silt soil?

Answer 22

yes

Question 23

silt soil is too light, so it ____ easily

Answer 23

erodes

Question 24

most plants require a pH of ___

Answer 24

7

Question 25

name 5 human impacts on soil

Answer 25

• acid rain
• people walking on soil
• fertilizer
• deforestation
• overgrazing

Question 26

how does acid rain affect soil?

Answer 26

changes the pH of soil; washes away nutrients

Question 27

how does walking on soil affect soil?

Answer 27

compresses space between soil particles; reducing air and water, killing plants

Question 28

how does fertilizer affect soil?

Answer 28

changes the natural supply of nutrients; soil depends on fertilizer

Question 29

how does deforestation affect soil?

Answer 29

the soil is exposed and erosion begins; the soil cannot sustain plant life

Question 30

how does overgrazing affect soil?

Answer 30

the plant dies and soil is exposed

Question 31

name 6 ways to minimize soil impact

Answer 31

• use less fossil fuels
• walk around soil
• crop rotation
• avoid clear cutting
• manage livestock effectively
• maintain ground cover