Soils Flashcards
Where are tropical red soils found
In regions with tropical climates where it’s hot and wet
Deforestation
Conversion from forest to non forest land
Effects of deforestation
Removes source of humus and soil looses fertility
Leaves soil exposed to soil erosion
Solution to deforestation
Forest management -> controlled felling and replace trees
Name 2 farming methods
Over cropping
Overgrazing
Over cropping
Crops continuously grown on land.
Nutrients are removed from soil
Soil becomes exhausted
Solution to over cropping
Crop rotation
Monoculture
Growth of single cash crop
How are soils formed
Climate Parent material Vegetation Living organisms Landscape Time
What is the A horizon made up of
It is dark in colour because of lots of humus
Subsoil
Another name for the B horizon
C horizon
The parent rock. It is made from bedrock and pieces of rock
What is leaching
When heavy rainfall washes the mineral, nutrients and humus down into the B horizon
Hard pan
When severe leading occurs. The minerals, ect form a cement like soil at the bottom of the A horizon.
Where are brown soils formed
Areas of deciduous forest
Rain fall for brown soils is
Limited
Were would you find brown soils
Dry lowland areas
Where are podzol coils formed
Areas covered by coniferous forest
What is rainfall like for podzol soils
Heaven = leaching + hardpan
Podzol soils are
Infertile and slightly acidic
Podzol soils are found in
Upland areas. E.g. Galway
What is soil made up of
Air Water Mineral matter Living organisms Humus
Humus
This is dark decaying organic matter. It is the remains of dead creatures, plants, leaves and grass. Humus provides nutrients to the soil.
