LEAPES

Question 1

soil is a mixture of…

Answer 1

organic and inorganic material

Question 2

Parent Material

Answer 2

underlying rock material where inorganic parts, sediments and
minerals, of soil are derived.

Question 3

Climate

Answer 3

• when temps below freezing, little to no soil formation. Little
  decomposition of organic matter and water.
  - in tropics, soil forms fast, fast weathering and decomposition of
  detritus.

Question 4

Topography

Answer 4

steep slopes are subject to erosion and mass movement.
- bottom of steep slopes have thick soil

Question 5

organisms

Answer 5

• Plants remove nutrients, cause chemical and mechanical
  weathering
  - Animals burrow and mix soil, recycle organic material and release
  nutrients into soil (decomposers)
  - Humans cause soil degradation and desertification of arable soil by
  Intensive agriculture.

Question 6

how long does it take for soil to form?

Answer 6

thousands of years

Question 7

All soils have what, or layers, which vary depending on soil - forming factors such as
climate, organisms, and parent material.
Most soils have either an O or A horizon and usually not both. Some soils that have an O horizon also have an E horizon.

Answer 7

horizons

Question 8

O horizon

Answer 8

Organic matter (leaves, twigs, dead animals) in various stages of decomposition. Humus is fully decomposed organic matter.

Question 9

A horizon (topsoil)

Answer 9

zone of overlying organic material mixed with underlying mineral material.

Question 10

E horizon

Answer 10

Zone of leaching (evaluation) of metals and nutrients, found under O or A horizon.

Question 11

B horizon (subsoil)

Answer 11

Zone of accumulation of metals (iron , aluminum) and nutrients, little organic matter.

Question 12

C horizon (subsoil)

Answer 12

Least-weathered layer, similar to parent rock.