Topic 4 -The Terrestrial Environment

Question 1

High variability in microclimates in comparison to

Answer 1

aquaticenvironments

Question 2

land varies especially in

Answer 2

temperature and moisture

Question 3

Organisms on land must deal with significant

Answer 3

losses of water due to evaporation

Question 4

living cells contain 95% _______ and must stay hydrated

Answer 4

water

Question 5

Air has a low density/viscosity relative to water; animals and plants subjected to

Answer 5

large gravitational forces

Question 6

what reinforces plants?

Answer 6

cellulose and ligin

Question 7

what reinforces animals?

Answer 7

skeleton

Question 8

what is the foundation of which all terrestrial life depends?

Answer 8

soil

Question 9

soil is

Answer 9

a natural product formed by the weathering of rocks and the actions of living organisms

Question 10

soil is composed of

Answer 10

mineral and organic matter capable of supporting plant growth

Question 11

Grasslands tend to have

Answer 11

deep soils with a low decomposition rate and large amounts of organic materials being added from roots underground

Question 12

Forests tend to have

Answer 12

thin soils with a high decomposition rate and organic material on the surface

Question 13

soils on slopes tend to be________ while those in alluvial plains tend to be _______

Answer 13

shallow, deep

Question 14

initially, soil development occurs within the….

Answer 14

parent material

Question 15

over time the soil changes from the surface down through the accumulation of ______and _______ of water downward moves material with it

Answer 15

organic material, percolation

Question 16

when soil changes it results in layers which are different

Answer 16

physically, chemically, and biologically

Question 17

layers are termed_____ and collectively are the_____

Answer 17

horizons, soil profile

Question 18

O Horizon

Answer 18

is the organic layer made of debris in various stages of decomposition

Question 19

A Horizon

Answer 19

is often called topsoil and is composed of both mineral and organic materials

Question 20

B Horizon

Answer 20

is often called subsoil and contains less organic and more mineral components relative to A

Question 21

C Horizon

Answer 21

is a layer of unconsolidated material and is in general made up of the same material from which the soil developed

Question 22

What causes variation in the moisture- holding capacity of the soil?

Answer 22

Climate
Type of parent material
Topography
Aspect 
presence/absence and type of vegetation

Question 23

texture is used to differentiate soil particle sizes and is partially inherited from the type of ________and _________

Answer 23

parent material, weathering process

Question 24

Gravel

Answer 24

greater than 2mm

Question 25

Sand

Answer 25

between 0.05mm-2mm

Question 26

silt

Answer 26

0.002-0.05mm

Question 27

clay

Answer 27

less than 0.002mm

Question 28

soil texture is a ______ of its sand, silt, and clay components. Typically divided up into texture classes

Answer 28

percent

Question 29

soil texture determines

Answer 29

soil fertility and the size of soil pore spaces

Question 30

large pores cause ______water infiltration, percolation and drainage but have _____ holding capacity

Answer 30

rapid, low

Question 31

small pores cause ____ water infiltration, percolation and drainage but has a _____ holding capacity

Answer 31

slow, high

Question 32

a _______ is less likely to hold moisture than _____ground

Answer 32

sloped, flat

Question 33

Aspect: windward facing slopes receive _____ precipitation

Answer 33

more

Question 34

how does vegetation alter microclimates

Answer 34

light via shading
temperature via shading
moisture via use
wind movement
structure -habitat for animals