Soils

Question 1

What are the five components of soil

Answer 1

Water 
Air
Mineral matter
Humus
Living organisms

Question 2

Explain mineral matter in terms of it being a component of soil.

Answer 2

Mineral matter makes up most of the soil. This consists of broken down material ex. Rocks that have been broken down by weathering and erosion. Mineral matter in soil is made up of stones, sand, silt and clay

Question 3

Explain water in terms of it being a component of soil.

Answer 3

Water binds the soil together and contains minerals which plants absorb through their roots.

Question 4

Explain air in terms of it being a component of soil.

Answer 4

Air fills the spaces between the minerals in the soil. Air contains nitrogen and oxygen which plants and animals in the soil need to live

Question 5

Explain humus in terms of it being a component of soil.

Answer 5

Humus is dark partly decayed mineral matter in soil. Made up of remains of organisms and the soil itself it keeps the soil fertile.

Question 6

Give in percentages the composition of soil

Answer 6

45%- Mineral matter
25%- air
25%- water
5% - living organisms and plant remains

Question 7

Explain how climate allows soil to form

Answer 7

Climate influences vegetation growth which when it decays forms humus.

Climate provides water in soil from precipitation

Climate also provides frost and water which erodes rock by weathering to form mineral particles

Minerals+water+humus = soil

Question 8

Explain leaching

Answer 8

Leaching is when water soaks down through the soil carrying nutrients down past the level of the plant roots

Question 9

Explain the negetive effect leaching can have

Answer 9

Too much leaching can lead to plants being deprived of their nutrients, minerals can build up in the soil forming a hard layer called hard pan

Question 10

Where and how do brown earth soils form

Answer 10

They develop on areas previously covered in deciduous forest but now develop under grassland or crops.
Because of the large amount of plant litter in a forest this soil has lots of humus forming making it fertile.
Rainfall does not tend to seep into the soil because of vegetation so little leaching occurs

Question 11

Why is brown earth soil popular for farmers

Answer 11

It is very fertile and is suitable for almost every type of farming

Question 12

How does soil influence vegetation?

Answer 12

• Rich/weak in nutrients
• Well drained/waterlogged
• Deep/shallow

Question 13

How does vegetation influence soil?

Answer 13

Deciduous- lots of humus (rich in nutrients)
Coniferous- less humus (less fertile)

Vegetation absorbs water and protects soil