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LARE 2: Inventory and Analysis > Soils, Vegetation, Wildlife > Flashcards

Soils, Vegetation, Wildlife Flashcards

1
Q

USDA Hardiness Zones (based on)

A

Average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10-degree F zones.

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2
Q

Non-profit organization dedicated to research and education; promotes the professional practice of arboriculture and fosters a greater worldwide awareness of the benefits of trees.

A

International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)

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3
Q

ISA’s (4) factors used to evaluate economic value of trees

A

size, species, condition / health, location

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4
Q

The single most important factor in governing the hardiness of a plant is :

A

Min. Temperature

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5
Q

Naturally occurring grasslands are a typical indication that ___ is not sufficient to produce trees.

A

Rainfall

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6
Q

Clay particle size (typ)

A

.002 mm

not visible

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7
Q

Silt particle size (typ)

A

.002-.05m m

not visible

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8
Q

Sand particle size (typ)

A

2-.05mm

visible

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9
Q

Describes the soil changes from soil to semi-solid to plastic to liquid as water is added to dry soil

A

Atterberg Limits

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10
Q

Moisture content in the soil at the threshold between semi-solid and plastic

A

Plastic Limit

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11
Q

Moisture content in the soil at the threshold between plastic and liquid
The minimum moisture content at which soil will flow under its own weight.

A

Liquid Limit

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12
Q

Moisture content in the soil at the threshold between solid and semi-solid

Water content, expressed as a percentage of the weight of oven-dried soil, at which further loss in moisture will not cause a decrease in its volume

A

Shrinkage Limit

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13
Q

The ability of organisms or tissues to function only with the presence of free oxygen

A

Aerobic

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14
Q

Soil that is devoid of interstitial oxygen (most often occurs in wetlands)

A

Anaerobic

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15
Q

Soil particles transported by wind

A

Aeolian

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16
Q

A type of soil with characteristics resulting from prolonged saturation and anaerobic conditions. May be bluish in color

Contributes to formation of non-decomposing organic matter; may have a high or low pH

A

Hydric Soil

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17
Q

The point at which soil acts like a liquid (typically occurs under earthquake conditions)

Associated with fine to medium grained sands and silts found in loosely packed layers. Greater soil density lowers risk (e.g. clay % of 15 or more substantially decreases the risk)

A

Liquefaction

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18
Q

The ability of a soil to hold together under pressure from a downhill force

A

Shear Strength

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19
Q

A group of processes where earth or rock material is loosened or dissolved and removed from the surface. generally caused by rain, snow, ice, wind, and human activity - construction in particular)

A

Erosion

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20
Q

Soil texture type most susceptible to erosion

A

Silt

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21
Q

Soil amendment that increases pH

A 
Lime
Wood ash 
Oyster shells 
Calcium nitrate
Industrial CO (burned lime)
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22
Q

Soil amendment that decreases pH

A 
Iron sulphate
Aluminum sulphate 
Calcium sulfate
Sulfur (sulfuric acid) 
Pine needles (organic)
Pine sawdust (organic)
Acidic peat (organic)
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23
Q

Soil amendment that decreases pH

A 
Iron sulfate
Aluminum sulfate 
Sulfur (sulfuric acid) 
Pine needles (organic)
Pine sawdust (organic)
Acidic peat (organic)
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24
Q

Ideal pH range for max. absorption of nutrients

A

5.5-6.5

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25
Q

A measure of the load per unit area that a material can withstand before failure

The ability of soil to safely carry the pressure placed on the soil by any engineered structure, without undergoing shear failure (shear strength = the ability of a soil to hold together under pressure from a downhill force)

The capacity of soil to support a given load applied to the ground. The maximum average contact pressure between a structural and the soil surface on which it rests that the soil can support without failure. Expressed as force per unit surface area. ALSO: “the measure of a soil to decrease in volume under the pressure of a given weight.”

A

Bearing Capacity

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26
Q

Resistance to crushing or buckling force

A

Compressive strength

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27
Q

Soil consistency that is hard and little affected by moisture

A

Cemented

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28
Q

Soil consistency where when moist may be crushed under moderate pressure

A

Firm

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29
Q

Soil consistency where when moist crushes easily under gentle pressure and can be pressed together into a lump

A

Friable

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30
Q

Soil consistency where when dry it is moderately resistant to pressure

A

Hard

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31
Q

Soil consistency where non-coherent when dry

A

Loose

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32
Q

Soil consistency where when wet, will be readily deformed by moderate pressure; will form a wire when rolled between thumb and forefinger

A

Plastic

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33
Q

Soil consistency where when wet, adheres to other material and tends to pull apart rather than pull free from other material

A

Sticky

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34
Q

Soil consistency where when dry, breaks into powder or single grains under slight pressure

A

Soft

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35
Q

The method of mechanically increasing the density of soil by reducing the total pore space

A

Soil Compaction

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36
Q

Angle of repose of drained sand

A

33%

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37
Q

Angle of repose of boulders

A

45%

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38
Q

Angle of repose of loam

A

45%

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39
Q

Angle of repose of compacted clay

A

65%

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40
Q

US FWS Wetland classification: open ocean and its associated coastline; includes tidal zones; most productive and fragile ecosystem on earth

A

Marine

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41
Q

US FWS Wetland classification: tidal waters of coastal rivers and embankments, salty tidal marshes, mangrove swamps (saltwater and brackish water)

Tidal waters of coastal rivers and embayments; salty tidal marshes; mangrove swamps; tidal flats

A

Estuarine

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42
Q

US FWS Wetland classification: related to rivers and streams (often bordered by Riparian Buffers)
Lacustrine: lakes, reservoirs, large ponds

A

Riverine

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43
Q

US FWS Wetland classification:

Associated with lakes, reservoirs, large pools

A

Lacustrine

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44
Q

US FWS Wetland classification: marshes, wet meadows, fens, bogs, playas and swamps

A

Palustrine

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45
Q

Low marshy ground containing peat rich in mineral salts; alkaline rather than acidic.

receives nutrients from groundwater

A

Fen

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46
Q

An area having wet, spongy, acidic soil composed chiefly of sphagnum moss and peat in which characteristic shrubs, herbs, and sometimes trees, grow. Organic soil, unlike other wetlands that have mineral soil.

A type of wetland found in northern climates characterized by acidic soils, rich deposits of organic material (such as peat), and a diversity of vegetation types.

Water source: rainfall

A

Bog

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47
Q

Consolidates the creation of smaller wetlands; transfers the responsibility of creating wetlands to others; provides incentives for people to restore wetlands.

A

Wetland banking / compensatory mitigation

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48
Q

Wetland Remediation Techniques

A

solidification, soil vapor extraction, incineration, bioremediation, soil washing, solvent extraction, dechlorination, phytoremediation, air sparging, passive treatment wells

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49
Q

A natural community where dominant plants are grasses

A

Grassland

50
Q

Term used to describe a field of permanent grass used for hay, but also applied to rich, waterside grazing areas not suitable for arable cultivation

Periodically inundated wetland that may or may not have water present

A

Meadows

51
Q

Area of soft, wet, low-lying land characterized by grassy vegetation that is not woody; often forms a transition zone between water and land
A type of wetland characterized by herbaceous vegetation no taller than 6 ft.

A

Marsh

52
Q

A shallow central basin of a plain where water gathers after a rain and is evaporated

A

Playa

53
Q

Narrow zone of habitats, may or may not be vegetated, directly associated with streamsides or lake shores, or similar immediately adjacent habitat

A

Riparian wetland

54
Q

Areas of brackish, shallow water usually found in coastal areas and in deltas; also inland marshes in arid areas where the water has a high salt level due to evaporation

A

Salt marsh

55
Q

Plant communities and trees and inhabit tidal swamps, muddy silt, and sand banks at the mouths of rivers and other low-lying areas regularly inundated by the sea but protected from strong wave and current action. Only woody species that will grow where the land is periodically flooded with sea water.

A

Mangrove

56
Q

The ability of a soil to return to its original shape after being subjected to a load condition.

A

Soil Elasticity

57
Q

The ability of a soil to be deformed under pressure without breaking apart

A

Soil Plasticity

58
Q

A condition typically caused by iron deficiency and is typically manifested by yellowed leaves with green veins. Overwatering and lack of aeration are typically the cause.
Iron deficiency may be because iron is missing from the soil or because the iron is “tied up” and unavailable to the plant’s roots (may be due to a soil pH that is too high or too low). A magnesium deficiency may also cause leaves to yellow while veins remain green

A

Chlorosis

59
Q

Condition of abnormal growth in vascular plants in which the apical meristem (growing top), which is normally concentrated around a single point and produces approximately cylindrical tissues, instead becomes elongated perpendicularly in the direction of growth, thus producing flattened, ribbon-like crested, or elaborately contorted tissue.
May be attributed to frost, insect, or physical damage early in a stem’s development

A

Fasciation (or “cresting”)

60
Q

(3) Defining Attributes of Wetlands

A

Hydrology
Soils
Vegetation

61
Q

Sign of Nitrogen Excess

A

Root burn

62
Q

Sign of Over Watering

A

Root rot

63
Q

Soil pH ranges

A 
>8.5 = strongly alkaline 
8.0-8.5 = medium alkaline 
7.0-8.0 = slightly alkaline 
6.0 -7.0 = slightly acidic 
5.5-6.0 = medium acidic 
<5.5 = strongly acidic
64
Q

Loam composition

A

Generally consists of 40% sand, 40% silt, 20% clay

65
Q

Benefits of gypsum

A

Improves aeration

66
Q

Well Graded Soil

A

Soil that has a wide range of even distribution of particle sizes, in which the small soil particles fill the voids created by the larger grains.

67
Q

2 Most Important Factors in Determining Vegetation Types (Undisturbed Sites)

A

Moisture and temperature

68
Q

Layers of sedimentary rock or soil, or igneous rock that were formed at the Earth’s surface, with internally consistent characteristics that distinguish it from other layers.

A

Strata

69
Q

Soil texture type: small grain size, moderate permeability; high erodibility

A

Silty Soils (over 40% silt)

70
Q

Platy, blocky, prismatic, granular, columnar, structureless

A

Soil Structure Classifications

71
Q

A layer under the surface where the soil pores contain a mixture of air and water

A

Vadose Zone

72
Q

Soil amendment that improves structure; also reduces salt toxicity in heavily irrigated soils; provides sulfur and calcium; may improve permeability; does not significantly impact pH

A

Gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate)

73
Q

Macronutrient in soil that is an essential part of plant cell wall structure, which provides for cellular-level retention and transport of elements and plant strength overall; Signs of deficiency: deformed tips of leaves and little root growth

A

Calcium (Ca)

74
Q

Soil texture type: low permeability / impermeable; heavy weight; expansive (heaves / swells when wet; shrinks when dry); low water availability at low moisture content; colloidal content describes presence of this particle in a sample (suspension of finely divided particles); particles do not rapidly settle out of suspension and are not readily filtered; erodible to highly erodible

A

Clayey Soils (over 35% clay)

75
Q

Macronutrient in soil responsible for healthy growth, strong roots, fruit and flower development, greater disease resistance; enhances photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, flowering, fruiting, maturation.

A

Phosphorus (P)

76
Q

Natural sources of phosphorus

A

rock phosphate, guano, bone meal

77
Q

Describes the arrangement of the solid components of the soil, of the pore space located between them, and formation of aggregates; influences soil permeability and aeration (important for plant growth); dependant on parent material, formation conditions, presence of clay and organics, recent management history (adversely affected by compaction and when soils are worked when wet - over 15% moisture content)

A

Soil Structure

78
Q

The layers in a typical soil profile which have distinctly different physical, chemical, and biological qualities.

A

Soil Horizons

79
Q

A soil profile layer : partially weathered rock fragments

A

Soil Horizon “C”

80
Q

A soil profile layer : organic matter in a recognizable form, including leaves and partially decomposed matter

A

Soil Horizon “O”

81
Q

Soil pH 7-14; usually associated with areas of lower rainfall; micronutrients may be less available in soils with low pH - optimal nutrient availability for most plants is bw 6.5-7.5; plants that prefer this soil type: barberry, lavender, salvia

A

Alkaline Soils (features / causes)

82
Q

Contributing factors to alkaline soil

A

Parent material (limestone, sepentine)
Climate (low rainfall)
Moist soil, poor drainage

83
Q

Signs of __ deficiency in soil: tips and edges of oldest leaves begin to yellow (chlorosis) and die (appear burned on edges)

A

Signs of Potassium Deficiency

84
Q

Macronutrient in soil that is essential for photosynthesis; also helps activate many plant enzymes needed for growth; deficiency: yellowing of leaves and purple leaf margins

A

Magnesium (Mg)

85
Q

Macronutrient in soil that is essential for protein production; helps in chlorophyll formation; improves root growth and seed production; helps with vigorous plant growth and resistance to cold; Deficiency: yellow and brown leaves

A

Sulfur (S)

86
Q

Presence of significant amounts of water in the soil lowers its bearing capacity, particularly for clays and silts. Water is a lubricant, lowering frictional forces between individual soil particles (why many building foundations have sub-drains and constructed slopes along highways have extensive underdrain systems); engineering design looks at worst case scenarios.

A

Soil Water / Impact on Bearing Capacity

87
Q

Soil texture type: drains quickly, light weight, non-expansive, erodible

A

Sandy Soils (over 45% sand)

88
Q

When water carries nutrients out of the soil as it drains; occurs in sandy soils

A

Leaching

89
Q

A test used to determine the amount of macro and micro nutrients in the soil, organic matter content, pH value, USDA soil classification; may be used to guide plant growth (right plant right place / amendments needed)

A

Soil Test Report

90
Q

Signs of __ deficiency in soil: stunted, thin-stemmed, spindly; foliage (particularly lower leaves) may be red or purple

A

Signs of Phosphorus Deficiency

91
Q

A soil profile layer: bedrock

A

Soil Horizon “D”

92
Q

Micronutrients in Soil (types and their function)

A

Iron, manganese, zinc, copper, boron, molybdenum Availability in soil determined by: abundance of parent minerals present, chemical conditions in the soil (pH in particular), rate of nutrient movement in soil within compounds (many are immobile, which helps with retention) Signs of iron deficiency: chlorosis, death of leaf edges, stunted growth

93
Q

A feature of soils that affects how well nutrients and water are retained; clays and organic soils hold nutrients and water better than sandy soils

A

Soil Texture

94
Q

A soil profile layer : nutrients left by rain water leaching; hardpans & clay pans develop here

A

Soil Horizon “B”

95
Q

Signs of Nitrogen Deficiency

A

Pale yellow green color (chlorosis), stunted appearance, thin stems. Impacts lower leaves more.

96
Q

Soil texture type: Blend of soil types; highly valuable as agricultural soil; very good drainage, moderately permeable, high water holding capability; slight erosion potential; highly fertile; easily worked

A

Loam (typ. <40% clay w/ good particle size distribution)

97
Q

Macronutrient in soil responsible for vegetative growth above ground; sturdy growth and rapid maturity; dark green foliage; helps seed and fruit production; improves leaf growth;

A

Nitrogen (N)

98
Q

Natural sources of Nitrogen

A

blood meal, alfalfa meal, feather meal, fish emulsion, manure.

99
Q

Soil pH 0-7; higher % organic matter; often associated with areas of higher rainfall; contributing factors: rainfall and leaching*, parent material, organic matter decay, harvest of high-yielding crops; (*reduces calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium) ( e.g. silica oxide); macronutrients may be less available in soils with low pH; optimal nutrient availability for most plants is bw 6.5-7.5; plants that prefer this soil type: blueberry, azalea, heather, cranberry

A

Acidic Soil (features / causes)

100
Q

Macronutrient in soil that helps plants resist diseases, prevents excess water loss and increases water uptake by roots; helps plants to adapt to environmental stresses, including cold; known to activate 80 different plant enzymes

A

K (Potassium / Potash)

101
Q

Natural Source of Potassium

A

Potassium sulfate
Granite dust
Wood ash
Kelp meal

102
Q

A soil profile layer : heavy non-recognizable organic matter mixed with minerals

A

Soil Horizon “A”

103
Q

An indicator of soil fertility; positively charged plant nutrients are attracted to negatively charged clay particles and organics, results in reduced leaching. A higher value CEC = greater soil fertility

A

Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)

104
Q

Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE); Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE)

A

An equation used to predict long-term annual rates of erosion based on rainfall, soil type, crop system, and management practices (average soil loss in tons per acre per year) Factors considered: rainfall, soil erodibility, slopes, vegetative cover, management

105
Q

Address Soil Compaction

A

Loosen soil, aerate

106
Q

Address Poorly Draining Soils

A

Install drain lines, bore through hardpan

107
Q

Six principles of healthy soil management

A

1) Enhance organic matter 2) Avoid excessive tillage 3) Manage pests and nutrients efficiently 4) Prevent soil compaction 5) Keep the ground covered with vegetation or mulch 6) Increase plant species diversity

108
Q

Maximum angle of a stable slope determined by friction, cohesion, and particle shape. Typically between 25-45 degrees for soils, sands, and gravels. Clays lose cohesion when saturation and may be as low as 15 degrees. Good soil structure (aggregation into peds) may permit a higher angle.

A

Angle of Repose

109
Q

Soil at or below the freezing point of water for two or more years. Construction is difficult but may be addressed by piles, a thick gravel pad, or ammonia heat pipes

A

Permafrost

110
Q

Elements of Vegetation Inventory (6)

A

1) plant communities 2) species lists 3) edge profiles 4) rare and endangered species 5) fire history 6) physiognomic profiles

111
Q

Factors Influencing Plant Distribution (8)

A

1) Duration of growing season 2) Point of succession 3) Ground temperature 4) Continuous wind 5) Soil moisture 6) Soil depth 7) Disturbance 8) Wildlife populations and browse patterns

112
Q

Vegetation Types (9)

A

1) Forest 2) Woodland 3) Savanna 4) Scrub 5) Grassland 6) Tundra 7) Swamp (wetland) 8) Marsh (wetland) 9) Bog (wetland)

113
Q

Plants that tolerate high-salt soils (plant classification by habitat preference)

A

Halophytic

114
Q

Plants that tolerate dry soils (plant classification by habitat preference)

A

Xerophytic

115
Q

Plants that prefer moderately moist soils (plant classification by habitat preference)

A

Mesophytic

116
Q

Plants that prefer wet soils or float in the water (plant classification by habitat preference)

A

Hydrophytic

117
Q

Elements of wildlife inventory (5)

A

1) Species 2) Population 3) Distribution 4) Habitat values 5) Rare and endangered species

118
Q

When a large plot is used to characterize the most representative plant community.

A

Releve

119
Q

In general, a series of squares of a set size are placed in a habitat of interest and the species within those areas are identified and recorded.

A

Quadrant sampling

120
Q

Soils on slopes tend to have:

A

Less developed soil horizons

121
Q

Causes of chlorosis

A 
Poor drainage
Damaged roots
Compacted roots
High alkalinity 
Nutrient deficiency (N, K, iron, magnesium)
122
Q

Classification system that distinguishes soils based on their engineering performance as a construction material.

Considers texture, gradation, plasticity, and organic matter content.

Broadly categorizes soils as:
Coarse grained (sands, gravels)
Fine-grained (silts, clays)
Organic (peat

A

Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

LARE 2: Inventory and Analysis (18 decks)

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