Intro to soils

Question 1

Biologically why is soil important?

Answer 1

used for land fertility, providing habitats, improving biodiversity and providing shelter

Question 2

Physically why is soil important?

Answer 2

controls flow of water and nutrients between atmosphere and earth, keeps atmosphere cool, store and source of oxygen and CO2, is a historical record

Question 3

commercially why is soil important?

Answer 3

used for construction, it is vital for foundations.

Question 4

what are hill slopes?

Answer 4

elevated land between valley bottoms, hillslope process is movement of rock and soil by erosion etc

Question 5

why are slopes important?

Answer 5

with regards to erosion, significant hazards are caused by soils, central to understanding landscape evolution

Question 6

what are bedrock hillslopes?

Answer 6

no soil cover, bedrock surface, soil erosion more prominent than production, rock properties control slope, typically arid, semi-arid environments

Question 7

what are soil mantled hillslopes?

Answer 7

layer of soil covers bedrock, soil production more prominent, slope geometry controlled by soil properties and production rates, humid and tropic regions