podzol soil profile*

Question 1

above soil

Answer 1

coniferous producing needles or cones (draw trees)

Question 2

Ao horizon

Answer 2

thin black layer of acidic mor humus

Question 3

A horizon upper

Answer 3

• mineral organic layer which is brown with some darker staining from humus
• shallow roots prevent nutrient recycling

Question 4

A horizon lower

Answer 4

ash grey layer in lower A horizon which has a sandy texture. Elluvial horizon.

Question 5

B horizon

Answer 5

• reddish brown with a denser texture due to leaching
• leaching causes a build of aluminium and iron oxides which creates an iron pan in the upper B horizon. - prevents drainage and causes waterlogging.

Question 6

C/D horizon

Answer 6

parent material is generally weathered rock from glacial or fluvial-glacial material. there are few biota to mix the soil resulting in well defined horizons