Soil

Question 1

What causes soil erosion?

Answer 1

strong winds, hard rains, and flowing water

Question 2

What is soil?

Answer 2

The upper layer of earth in which plants grow, a black or dark brown material typically consisting of a mixture of organic remains, clay, and rock particles.

Question 3

What are the 3 categories of properties in soil?

Answer 3

physical, chemical, and biological

Question 4

What is soil made of?

Answer 4

Mineral particles, organic materials, air, water and living organisms

Question 5

How can vegetation protect (conserve) soil?

Answer 5

Plants slow down water as it flows over the land, and this allows much of the rain to soak into the ground. Plant roots hold the soil in position and prevent it from being blown or washed away.

Question 6

Why do plants need soil?

Answer 6

Anchorage
Oxygen
Water
Temperature modification
Nutrients

Question 7

What main nutrients does soil provide for plants?

Answer 7

The three main nutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K)

Intermediate nutrients: sulfur, magnesium, and calcium

Question 8

How does decomposition help soil?

Answer 8

The decomposition of organic matter releases nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and more into the soil, that can then be absorbed by plants to grow.

Question 9

What is desertification?

Answer 9

The process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.

Question 10

What are the main ways humans hurt soil?

Answer 10

Overgrazing, over cropping and or deforestation, artificial pesticides and fertilizers.

Question 11

What is the process nitrogen goes through to be absorbed by plants?

Answer 11

Nitrification- bacteria in the soil turn nitrogen into ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite. Fungi help the plant absorb the nitrogen.