Soil Flashcards
Complex mixture of organic and inorganic, water, air, and microscopic organisms
Soil
How is soil formed?
Soil is formed my rock and decaying organic matter
List the layers of soil
- Surface Layer
- Top Soil
- Leaching Layer
- Subsoil
- Parent Material
- Bed Rock
Describe the Surface Layer
Freshly fallen and partly decayed leaves and twigs
Describe Topsoil
Humus, dark in color, most plant roots found here
Describe the Leaching Layer
Light in color because it has lost clay and minerals as water drips through the soil
Describe Subsoil
Contains clay and mineral deposits such as iron, aluminum, oxides
Describe Parent Material
Slightly broken up bedrock within soil. Little organic material here
Describe Bed Rock
Unweathered rock
Partly decomposed matter by bacteria
Humus
The wearing away of top soil
Erosion
What are the problems with erosion?
No top soil, no crops
List and describe the causes of erosion
- Farming Practices - Plowing loosens soil so easily washed away, compacting water can’t soak it, and Harvesting removes nutrients from soil
- Clearing Froests - Logging and development, trees and shrubs hold soil together and hold a lot of water, and desertification
Farming a desert due to erosion of top soil
Desertification
List and describe the components of soil
- Clay - Very fine particles
- Silt - Fine particles
- Sand - Medium
- Gravel - Big to very big particles