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Conservation of Natural Resources > Nature of Soils > Flashcards

Flashcards in Nature of Soils Deck (13)
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1
Q

Characteristics of soils?

A

mineral matter, organic matter, water and air

2
Q

Amount of textural classes in soil texture

A

12

60% primarily sand
30% clay
10% silt

3
Q

What are the 2 soil textures?

A

Fine Earth Fraction-Clay Silt Sand

Coarse Fraction-Gravel Cobble Stone Boulder

4
Q

Factors that affect soil?

A

Permeability
Surface Area
Adsorption

5
Q

Other characteristics of soil?

A

structure, organic matter, living organisms, aeration, moisture content, pH, and fertility

6
Q

The ability of water and air to pass through soil

A

Permeability

7
Q

5 major factors of soil formation responsible for the kind of soil that develops in an area, the rate, and extent

A

Climate, parent material, organisms, topography, and time

8
Q

The acidity, neutrality, and alkalinity of soil reaction

A

pH
4.5-7 in humid regions
7-9 in arid regions
most vegetation grows in soils between 6 and 7

9
Q

A cross section view of the various horizons characterized by a specific thickness, texture, structure, and chemical composition

A

Soil Profile

10
Q

Each horizon has specific thickness, color, texture, structure and chemical composition. How many soil horizons are there?

A
6: 
O-above topsoil
A topsoil
E-subsurface
B-subsoil
C-parent material
R-hard bedrock
11
Q

The most dominant factor of soil formation?

A

Climate (temperature and precipitation which influence weathering)

12
Q

The unconsolidated material from which solids form

A

Parent Material

13
Q

Semi-stable dark colored organic material that consists of the decomposed products of plants and animal wastes and residues. Vital to healthy soil.

A

Humus