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Definition
| The total leaf area of a plant exposed to incoming light energy relative tot he ground surface area beneath the plant. |
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Term
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Definition
| ~A natural product formed and synthesized by the weathering of rocks and the action of living organisms. ~A collection of natural bodies of earth, composed of mineral and organic material and capable of supporting plant growth. ~A complex, highly structured system that is a unique product of the interaction among living things, rocks, air, water and other materials upon which most terrestrial life depends. |
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Definition
| Breakdown of rocks and mineral in place by disintegration processes such as freezing, thawing, and pressure that do not involve chemical reactions. |
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Definition
| The action of a set of chemical processes such as oxidation, hydrolysis, and reduction operating at the atomic and molecular level that break down and reform rocks and minerals. |
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Definition
| Major zone or layer of soil, with its own particular structure and characteristics. |
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Definition
| Point at which soils contains the maximum amount of liquid in its pore space. |
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Definition
| Amount of water held by soil agaisnt the force of gravity. |
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Term
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Definition
| Moisture content of soil at which plants wilt and fail to recover their turgidity when placed in a dark, humid atmosphere; measured by oven drying. |
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Term
| Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) |
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Definition
| Ability of a soil particle to absorb positively charged ions. |
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