Soils Flashcards
Roots in a Gley soil
Short roots meaning few minerals are brought up from lower down
Roots in a Brown Earth soil
Long roots bring minerals from weathered regolith producing fertile topsoil.
Roots in a Podsol Soil
Short so don’t bring materials up from weathered bedrock further down in the profile.
The A horizon of a Brown Earth soil
A less acidic MULL humus from dediduous trees
The A horizon of a Podsol soil
Pine needles decompose to form an infertile MOR humus
The A horizon of a Gley soil
Partially decayed peaty black acidic MOR humus due to slow decay of heathers, moses etc
Climate and effects in Gley soil
Cooler climate
Distinct layers and frozen permafrost in horizon C so waterlogging
Climate and effects in Brown Earth soil
Mild Climate
No distinct horizons
Climate and effects in podsol soil
Cool climate
Distinct layers
Precipitation rates and effects in Podsol Soil
High precipitation means leaching takes place so minerals are washed from the topsoil leaving it infertile and grey in colour.
Precipitation rates and effects in Brown Earth soil
Precipitation is greater than evaporation some some leaching but not as much, minerals remain in topsoil so dark in colour.
Precipitation rates and effects in Gley soil
Heavy rainfall can leach minerals out leading to browny grey A horizon
Organisms in Gley soil
Fewer organisms due to cold climate means not much mixing occurs. However microorganims take oxygen from iron compounds turning it from red to grey. Known as gleying
C horizon in Brown Earth soil
Sedimentary rocks which weather more easily releasing minerals to soil. Also soil is free draining so no waterlogging.
Organisms in Brown Earth soil
Presence of soil biota causes mixing so no distinct horizons
Organisms in Podsol soil
Cool conditions means few organisms living in soil so little mixing
Drainage in Podsol soil
Redeposition of minerals leaves a hardpan layer - this can SOMETIMES impede drainage and make the topsoil wet (illuviation) and cause waterlogging
