Human Use and soil and water Flashcards
What is Eutrophication?
The addition of nutrients to an aquatic ecosystem causing increased growth of plants such as algae is known as this.
What is extinction
when every member of a species goes extinct
What is crop rotation
Nutrients in soil may be lost through erosion or used up by crops. This is a process in which lost nutrients are restored by changing up the crop planted in a given area.
What is acid rain
nitrogen and sulphur containing emissions that react with water in the atmosphere to form nitrate and sulphuric acids. It damages leaves and increases acidity of soil and waterbodies which decreases number of organisms that can survive. It is an international problem. It turns into acid and falls down as rain.
What are the soil profiles?
Topsoil- humus, rock particles and organisms
Subsoil- compact, little organic material, roots and bacteria
Bedrock- solid rock, water cannot penetrate and forms the water table above bedrock
Order of soil profiles
Topsoil, subsoil, water table, bedrock
Types of soil
Loam -best for agriculture. Multi sized particles and allow flow of air and water. Lots of humas and drains without drying
Clay soil- Extremely small particles, tightly packed and no air pockets so difficult for roots, trapped water so soul is excessively wet
Sandy soil- Large particles of sand, large spaces for root growth and air pockets. Water drains quickly and removes essential nutrients. Less fertile than loam. Near the great lakes
What is sustainable use
Using an ecosystem’s resources in a way that meets our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
What is acidity of soil?
Acidity or ph is an abiotic factor connected to the chemistry of the soul.
If it has
- Low ph (1-6) it is acidic
- A high ph (8-14) it is basic
- A ph of 7 it is neutral
- Soil that is too acidic or basic damages plants and animals
- Soil ph can be modified to suit plants growing there
Human impact on soil
As we use the soil to support our growing population we must remember to use the soil in a sustainable way.
What is erosion
The loss of soil by water or wind- devastated ecosystems. The soil becomes drained of nutrients and crop rotation can help restore lost nutrients. Ex nitrogen can be replaced by planting legumes which have a symbiotic relationship with bacteria that convert N2 to NH3 and NO3 which are useful to plants
Assessing water quality
Water is critical to life and we must manage its use and protect its quality. We use a variety of aspects to assess its quality. Ex abundance and variety of aquatic organisms, level of dissolved oxygen and BOD, ph, and phosphorus and nitrogen levels go to fertilizer and can cause eutrophication
What does the presence of pesticides do
they are chemicals designed to kill pets. A pest is an organism people consider harmful or inconvenient (ex aphids, mosquitoes, crab grass, dandelions)
What is bioaccumulation
pesticides that have chlorine accumulate in the fatty tissue of an animal, where it cannot be released.
what is biomagnification
as animals are eaten the amount of pesticides in animals higher in the food chain become higher. The higher the tropic level, the greater the level of toxins
