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AGRC 111 > Role of soil and ecosystems > Flashcards

Role of soil and ecosystems Flashcards

1
Q

what is soil

A

it is a dynamic natural body composed of minerals and organic solids, gasses, liquids, and living organisms, which can serve and a medium for plant growth

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2
Q

what is soil made up of

A 
Soil solids
-mineral fraction (45%)
-organic matter (5%)
Pore space
-water (20%-30%)
-air (20%-30%)
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3
Q

what are the properties of a whole soil

A
  • soil is 3D (physical, chemical, and biological properties can vary both vertically and horizontally
  • surface location of the deposit cause soil to behave differently from other geological deposits
  • it is constantly evolving due to forces of weathering
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4
Q

what is involved in the destructive process of soil formation

A

the weathering of rock and mineral material and decomposition of organic matter

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5
Q

what is involved in the synthetic process of soil formation

A

clay mineral and organic matter formation, soil horizon development

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6
Q

what is a soil profile

A

it is a vertical section of soil through all its soil horizon and extending into the parent material

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7
Q

how does soil help plant growth medium

A
  • anchorage for plant roots
  • source of water and nutrients
  • indirectly provides humanity with food, fibre, fuel, and building material
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8
Q

how does soil help regulate water supply

A
  • absorbs, stores, and releases precipitation
  • provides a more continuous supply of water to plants
  • regulates the flow of rivers and streams
  • purifies water by filtering, absorbing or decomposing toxic substances in water
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9
Q

what role do organisms have on soil

A
  • a handful of soil houses billions of microorganisms
  • soil organisms carry out the important task of nutrient recycling
  • many soil organisms are ecosystem engineers; they create burrows and channels affecting water and air movement
  • some soil organisms can cause illness, while others are a source of medicine
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10
Q

how does soil help nature recycle

A

nutrients and carbon in waste products and dead organisms are recycled in the soil and made available for reuse by the next generation of life

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11
Q

what does soil do for the global energy cycle

A
  • it moderates the influence of solar radiation on the earth surface tempature
  • soil absorbs and reradiates a large amount of solar energy back into space
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12
Q

how does soil influence atmospheric conditions

A
  • soils take up and release carbon dioxide, oxygen, and other gases
  • soil water evaporates into the air
  • contributes to dust
  • re-radiates heat to the air
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13
Q

how does soil contribute to engineering

A

it is the primary material for roads, earthen dams, and foundations for roads and bridges

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14
Q

what is an ecosystem

A

a dynamic complex of plant, animal, and microbial communities, interacting within the non-living environment and may include human beings

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15
Q

are soils renewable

A

no

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16
Q

how long can it take to form an inch of topsoil

A

hundreds to thousands of years

17
Q

what is erosion, how is it caused and what are the adverse effects

A

erosion: the loss of topsoil from water, wind, tillage, and overgrazing
adverse effects: loss of topsoil

18
Q

what is compaction and how is it caused and what are the adverse effects

A

caused by excess vehicle traffic or grazing squishes soil particles together, reducing pore space
effects: increase flooding risks, and erosion and limits root growth

19
Q

what is nutrient mining, how is it caused and what are the adverse effects

A

continually removing nutrients in harvested plant material off the field without nutrient replenishment
effects:reduces soil fertility

20
Q

what is loss of organic matter, how is it caused and what are the adverse effects

A

caused by the accelerated decomposition of organic matter

effects: reduces soil health

21
Q

what is salinization, how is it caused and what are the adverse effects

A

increase in soil salinity

effects: plant toxicity

22
Q

what is contamination, how is it caused and what are the adverse effects

A

pollutants spilled or leached into the soil

Effects: plant toxicity

23
Q

what is provisioning services

A

products obtained from the ecosystem

  • food
  • water
  • fuelwood
  • fiber
  • biochemical
24
Q

what is regulating services

A

benefits obtained from regulation of ecosystem processes

  • climate regulation
  • doses regulation
  • flood drought regulation
  • erosion regulation
  • water purification
  • pollination
25
Q

what is cultural services

A

non-material benefits obtained from ecosystem

  • religion and spiritual
  • recreation and ecoturism
  • aesthetic
  • inspirational
  • sense of place
  • cultural heratage
26
Q

what is supporting services

A

services necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services

  • soil formation
  • nutrient cycling
  • primary production

AGRC 111 (39 decks)

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