Section 2.1 - Soil Formation and Distribution

Question 1

Section 2: Soil Formation and Distribution

a) Soil Forming Factors b) Fundamental Components of Soil

Refer to “A2” of your Lecture Supplement for more information; Soil Forming Factors refer to: C O P T

S = C + O + P + T/ TIME

Answer 1

C = Climate

O = Living Organisms

P = Parent Material

T = Topography

all over

Time

Question 2

Soil Forming Factors

Climate and Living Organisms

Is soil a living thing?
Soil is alive. There are more species of organisms in the soil than there are aboveground. … A single handful of soil contains millions of individual living organisms. Many of the ecosystem services provided by soil are actually performed by soil organisms.

Answer 2

Climate: climate has a big influence on soils over the long term because

• water from rain and warm temperatures will promote weathering, which is the
• dissolution of rock particles and
• liberating of nutrients that proceed in soils with the help of
• plant roots and microbes.

Question 3

 Parent Geologic Material (PGM)

– Transported PGM

– Residual PGM

– Organic PGM

 PGM is classified into the following:

– G______ – F______ – L_____ – Eolian (Wind)

Answer 3

1. – Glacial Till
2. – Fluvial
3. – Lacustrine
4. – Eolian

Question 4

Answer 4

FLUVIAL

Question 5

Answer 5

FLUVIAL

Question 6

Answer 6

FLUVIAL

Question 7

Answer 7

Lacustrine

Question 8

Answer 8

Eolian

Question 9

Soil Forming Factors

Topography and Drainage:

– Topography

 Surface Form (assemblage of ?)

 Slope Class (? ?)

 Aspect (? of slope)

Answer 9

slopes

percent slope

direction

Question 10

Topography and Drainage:

• – Topography
•  _____ ______ (assemblage of slopes)
•  ____ _____ (percent slope)
•  _____ (direction of slope)

Answer 10

Surface Form

Slope Class

Aspect

Question 11

Soil Forming Factors

 Topography and Drainage:

• – Topography
•  Surface Form (assemblage of slopes)
•  Slope Class (percent slope)
•  Aspect (direction of slope)
• – Drainage
  
  •  External _______
  •  Internal ________

Answer 11

Drainage

Drainage

Question 12

 Topography and Drainage:

– Topography

 Surface Form (assemblage of slopes)

 Slope Class (percent slope)

 Aspect (direction of slope) –

Drainage:  _____ ______ ______ Drainage

Answer 12

External Drainage

Internal

Question 13

Soil Forming Factors

 Time

• – (X) Years
• – Since last
• – More recent deposits ?

Answer 13

glaciation

Question 14

Section 2: Soil Formation and Distribution

a) Soil Forming Factors
b) Fundamental Components of Soil

U

O

H D L

Answer 14

1.  Unconsolidated
2.  Occurs Naturally
3.  Has Distinct Layers
4.  A cross section of soil showing A,B and C horizons is known as a “soil profile”.