Term
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Definition
| mix of inorganic minerals, decaying organic matter, water, air, and living organisms. |
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Term
| What are the physical properties of soil? |
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Definition
| Color, texture, structure, depth, and moisture. |
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Term
| Does color tell us anything about the richness of the soil? |
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Definition
| No: in tropical areas, dark soil is nutrient poor, and light soil is nutrient rich, opposite of temperate soil. |
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Term
| In order of largest to smallest, what are the inorganic particles? |
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Definition
| Gravel (?), Sand, Silt, and Clay. |
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Term
| How is texture of soil determined? |
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Definition
| By the amount of sand, silt, and clay in the soil. |
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Term
| What charge does clay have? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is the best soil for agriculture? |
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Definition
| Loam, which is an even mixture of all three types. |
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Term
How does particle size relate to aeration and drainage?
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Definition
| As particle size increases, aeration and drainage also increase. |
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Term
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Definition
| Maximum amount of moisture soil can hold. |
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Term
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Definition
| The horizontal layers in soil that make up the soil profile. |
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Term
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Definition
| Surface layer - decomposing organic matter |
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Term
| What are the two subdivisions of the O horizon? |
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Definition
Oi: Litter Layer (not yet decomposed/decomposing plant material)
Oa: Humus Layer (decomposed plant material) |
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Term
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Definition
| High organic material; decaying organic material mixed with minerals and living organisms. |
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Term
| Which regions have the thickest topsoil? |
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Definition
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Term
| Which regions have the thinnest topsoil? |
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Definition
Tropical rainforest (very thin)
Deserts (none)
Tundra (none)
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Term
| What is the zone of maximum biological activity? |
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Definition
The A and O horizon combined.
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Term
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Definition
| Fine particles of inorganic material; zone of leaching. |
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Term
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Definition
| lower organic content; zone of illuviation (accumulates fine particles and mineral nutrients.) |
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Term
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Definition
| Weathered bedrock material that is mostly inorganic nutrients. |
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Term
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Definition
| Unweathered, inpenetrable bedrock. |
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