soil science Flashcards
watershed
An area of land that drains rainwater or snow into a single body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean
deforestation
The clearing or thinning of forests, often for agricultural or urban development, leading to loss of biodiversity and habitat.
plants
The clearing or thinning of forests, often for agricultural or urban development, leading to loss of biodiversity and habitat.
topography
The arrangement of natural and artificial physical features of an area, including hills, valleys, and bodies of water
soil layers
Comprising different horizons, each layer has distinct characteristics affecting plant growth and water retention.
air
The invisible mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth, essential for respiration and supporting life.
Animals
Multicellular organisms that are heterotrophic and typically have complex organ systems, playing vital roles in ecosystems
urbanization
The process by which rural areas become urbanized, involving the growth of cities and towns and the associated changes in land use.
dynamic activity
The continuous changes and processes occurring within an ecosystem, influenced by both natural forces and human impact.
water
A vital natural resource, essential for life, existing in various forms (liquid, solid, vapor) and playing a key role in ecosystems
Mass movement
The movement of soil and rock down a slope due to gravity, often triggered by rainfall, earthquakes, or human activities.
soil degradation
The decline in soil quality and productivity due to factors like erosion, compaction, and contamination
glaciers
Large masses of ice that move slowly over land, shaping the landscape through processes of erosion and deposition.
Land use
The management and modification of natural environment into built environments such as settlements and semi-natural habitats.
Drainage
The process by which water is removed from an area, often through natural or artificial means.
Upper layer
Typically refers to the layer of soil closest to the surface, often including topsoil and subsoil
Natural Processes
Processes that occur naturally in the environment, such as erosion, sedimentation, and weathering
Topsoil
The uppermost layer of soil, rich in organic matter and nutrients, vital for plant growth
Agriculture
The practice of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising animals for food, fiber, and other products
Erosive agents
Natural forces, such as water, wind, and ice, that cause the breakdown and removal of soil and rock materials
Sediment
Particles of soil, sand, and minerals that are transported by water, wind, or ice, often settling in new locations
Wind
Air in motion relative to the surface of the Earth, which can be an agent of erosion and sediment transport
Floods
An overflow of water onto land that is normally dry, often caused by excessive rainfall, melting snow, or dam failure
Human activities
Actions undertaken by people that affect the environment, including agriculture, urban development, and industrial processes
Surface runoff
Water that flows over the ground surface when rain falls, often contributing to erosion and flooding
soil erosion
The removal of the top layer of soil by natural forces such as water and wind, often exacerbated by human activities
streams
Small, flowing bodies of water that usually lead to larger bodies like rivers or lakes, playing a crucial role in the water cycle.
ICE
The solid form of water, which can influence ecosystems, especially in polar regions and during winter
Farmland
Land that is used for agricultural purposes, specifically for the cultivation of crops and raising livestock
Land degradation
The deterioration of the land’s productive capacity due to factors such as deforestation, overgrazing, and unsustainable agriculture.
Air
A mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth
agriculture
the science or practice of farming, including cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and other products.
