Lecture 2: Importance of land management Flashcards
1
Q
Why are soils crucial for the carbon (c) cycle?
A
Soils can fixed a lot of carbon which will otherwise be released in the air
2
Q
What are climate-proof soils?
A
- Maintain more moisture
- Improve soil structure & fertility
- Support ecologically sound & economically feasible processes
3
Q
What is degradation?
A
- The lowering of quality of a land form through erosional processes (mainly wind and water)
4
Q
Main causes of degradation?
A
- Erosion
- Organic matter decline
- Loss of biodiversity
- Compaction
- Sealing
- Contamination
- Pollution
- Salinization
5
Q
What are the main effects of degradation?
A
- Increases soil susceptibility for compaction
- Reduces water infiltration
- Accelerates wind & water erosion
- Amplifies soil temperature fluctuations
- Hastens desertification
6
Q
What are the two main global soil classification systems?
A
- USDA: all soils can be assigned to 12 orders
- WRB; World reference base to 8 families
7
Q
On what factors are soils assigned to its order?
A
- Vegetation
- Parent material
- Climate variables
8
Q
What is a soil profile?
A
- 0-2 m
- Different horizons
- Each horizon has a name and letter
- A vertical section of soil which allows you to study the structure of the soil
9
Q
What are the letters for horizons?
A
- O: humus
- A: top soil
- E: eluviated horizon
- B: sub soil
- C: parent material
- R: bedrock
10
Q
What is the purpose of a taxonomy system?
A
- Summary of information
- Comparison and communication about soils
- Evaluation of soils: land suitability
11
Q
What are different sites/tools to look at soils?
A
- AHN; hights above/under sea level
- GIS: geographical information system –> provides digital maps
