Topic 5

Question 1

soil texture triangle

Answer 1

illustration of the differences in the composition of soils

Question 2

translocation

Answer 2

when materials are sorted and layers are formed by water carrying particles either up or down

Question 3

salinization

Answer 3

when water from the surface soil is evaporated and water from lower layers moves up, dissolving minerals within the soil and bringing them along with it. after that water evaporates, the minerals are left behind at the surface and increase the soil’s salinity

Question 4

leaching

Answer 4

in colder and wetter climates, this is when water flows down in the soil, dissolving minerals, and transporting them downwards

Question 5

o horizon

Answer 5

uppermost layer of soil with organic materials in which decomposition occurs via fungi and bacteria

Question 6

a horizon/humus layer

Answer 6

second layer of soil where humus builds up, containing partially decomposed materials and fine mineral particles

Question 7

b horizon

Answer 7

third layer of soil in which soluble materials and organic materials gather, including clay and salts

Question 8

c horizon

Answer 8

fourth layer of sediment composed of the weathered rock from which the soil is made

Question 9

r horizon

Answer 9

parent material (ie bedrock)

Question 10

porosity

Answer 10

amount of space between particles

Question 11

permeability

Answer 11

ease at which gas and liquid can pass through the soil

Question 12

NPK

Answer 12

nutrients found mainly in soil (nitrates, phosphates, and potassium)

Question 13

LEDC

Answer 13

(less economically developed country) with low to moderate industrialization and average GNP per capita

Question 14

MEDC

Answer 14

(more economically developed country) highly industrialized country with high average GNP per capita

Question 15

agribusiness

Answer 15

business of agricultural production, including farming, seed supply, breeding, chemicals for agriculture, machinery, food harvesting, distribution, processing, and storage

Question 16

commercial agriculture

Answer 16

large scale production of crops and livestock for sale

Question 17

subsistence agriculture

Answer 17

farming for self-sufficiency to grow enough for a family or local community

Question 18

cash cropping

Answer 18

growing crops for market, rather than oneself

Question 19

extensive farming

Answer 19

using more land with lower density of crops with lower inputs, leading to lower outputs

Question 20

intensive farming

Answer 20

more intensive use of land with high inputs and outputs per unit area

Question 21

pastoral farming

Answer 21

raising animals on land that is usually not suitable for crops

Question 22

arable farming

Answer 22

growing crops on good soil to eat directly or feed to animals

Question 23

mixed farming

Answer 23

farming using both crops and animals, and is a system where animal waste is used as fertilizer for the crops and to improve soil structure. some crops are fed to animals

Question 24

undernourishment

Answer 24

when people don’t get enough energy from their food

Question 25

unbalanced diet

Answer 25

food contains enough energy but not enough essential nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, and certain minerals

Question 26

grain equivalent

Answer 26

the quantity of wheat grain that would be used to produce one kg of the product