Soil Formation and Erosion - AP Environmental Science
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What is the term for the vertical sequence of soil layers?
What is the term for the vertical sequence of soil layers?
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Soil profile. Distinct layers form as soil develops from surface to bedrock.
Soil profile. Distinct layers form as soil develops from surface to bedrock.
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What is the function of soil aeration?
What is the function of soil aeration?
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Improves air and water flow. Pore spaces allow oxygen to reach roots and water to infiltrate.
Improves air and water flow. Pore spaces allow oxygen to reach roots and water to infiltrate.
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What is the main cause of soil salinization?
What is the main cause of soil salinization?
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Irrigation. Adding water with dissolved salts increases soil salt concentration over time.
Irrigation. Adding water with dissolved salts increases soil salt concentration over time.
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Which soil property affects water retention and permeability?
Which soil property affects water retention and permeability?
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Texture. Particle size distribution affects how water and nutrients move through soil.
Texture. Particle size distribution affects how water and nutrients move through soil.
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Identify the horizon known as subsoil.
Identify the horizon known as subsoil.
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B horizon. Located below the A horizon where nutrients accumulate from above.
B horizon. Located below the A horizon where nutrients accumulate from above.
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Identify the primary agent of chemical weathering.
Identify the primary agent of chemical weathering.
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Water. Water dissolves minerals and causes chemical reactions that decompose rock.
Water. Water dissolves minerals and causes chemical reactions that decompose rock.
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What is the primary component of soil that determines its color?
What is the primary component of soil that determines its color?
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Organic matter. Dark organic matter gives soil its characteristic brown or black color.
Organic matter. Dark organic matter gives soil its characteristic brown or black color.
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Name a soil amendment used to raise pH.
Name a soil amendment used to raise pH.
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Lime. Calcium carbonate neutralizes soil acidity and increases pH levels.
Lime. Calcium carbonate neutralizes soil acidity and increases pH levels.
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What is the main cause of soil salinization?
What is the main cause of soil salinization?
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Irrigation. Adding water with dissolved salts increases soil salt concentration over time.
Irrigation. Adding water with dissolved salts increases soil salt concentration over time.
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Name a common method to prevent soil erosion on slopes.
Name a common method to prevent soil erosion on slopes.
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Terracing. Creating stepped platforms reduces slope angle and water runoff velocity.
Terracing. Creating stepped platforms reduces slope angle and water runoff velocity.
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Identify the soil property that affects its ability to support plant life.
Identify the soil property that affects its ability to support plant life.
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Fertility. Nutrient content determines how well plants can grow in the soil.
Fertility. Nutrient content determines how well plants can grow in the soil.
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Name the process by which rocks are broken down into soil.
Name the process by which rocks are broken down into soil.
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Weathering. Physical and chemical processes break down rock into smaller particles over time.
Weathering. Physical and chemical processes break down rock into smaller particles over time.
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Name the process that converts solid rock into smaller fragments.
Name the process that converts solid rock into smaller fragments.
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Disintegration. Physical breakdown of bedrock creates the mineral component of soil.
Disintegration. Physical breakdown of bedrock creates the mineral component of soil.
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Identify the soil layer that contains partially disintegrated rock.
Identify the soil layer that contains partially disintegrated rock.
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C horizon. This layer sits above bedrock and shows early stages of soil development.
C horizon. This layer sits above bedrock and shows early stages of soil development.
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Which soil conservation method involves planting grass or trees to anchor soil?
Which soil conservation method involves planting grass or trees to anchor soil?
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Reforestation. Plant roots physically hold soil particles in place against erosion.
Reforestation. Plant roots physically hold soil particles in place against erosion.
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Name the process that leads to soil compaction.
Name the process that leads to soil compaction.
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Tillage. Repeated plowing and cultivation compress soil particles together.
Tillage. Repeated plowing and cultivation compress soil particles together.
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Which process involves the loss of soil nutrients through water movement?
Which process involves the loss of soil nutrients through water movement?
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Leaching. Downward water movement carries dissolved nutrients away from plant roots.
Leaching. Downward water movement carries dissolved nutrients away from plant roots.
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Which soil conservation technique uses alternating strips of crops?
Which soil conservation technique uses alternating strips of crops?
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Strip cropping. Alternating strips reduce wind speed and trap eroded soil particles.
Strip cropping. Alternating strips reduce wind speed and trap eroded soil particles.
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What is the term for soil's ability to hold water and nutrients?
What is the term for soil's ability to hold water and nutrients?
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Soil fertility. Nutrient content and water-holding capacity determine plant growth potential.
Soil fertility. Nutrient content and water-holding capacity determine plant growth potential.
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Which soil particle is the smallest: sand, silt, or clay?
Which soil particle is the smallest: sand, silt, or clay?
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Clay. Clay particles are less than 0.002 mm in diameter.
Clay. Clay particles are less than 0.002 mm in diameter.
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What is the role of decomposers in soil formation?
What is the role of decomposers in soil formation?
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Break down organic matter. Bacteria and fungi decompose dead plants and animals into soil nutrients.
Break down organic matter. Bacteria and fungi decompose dead plants and animals into soil nutrients.
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What is the term for the vertical sequence of soil layers?
What is the term for the vertical sequence of soil layers?
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Soil profile. Distinct layers form as soil develops from surface to bedrock.
Soil profile. Distinct layers form as soil develops from surface to bedrock.
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What is the ideal pH range for most agricultural soils?
What is the ideal pH range for most agricultural soils?
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6 to 7.5. This range provides optimal nutrient availability for most crop plants.
6 to 7.5. This range provides optimal nutrient availability for most crop plants.
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What is the primary factor influencing soil formation?
What is the primary factor influencing soil formation?
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Climate. Temperature and precipitation patterns determine weathering rates and soil development.
Climate. Temperature and precipitation patterns determine weathering rates and soil development.
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What is the primary component of soil that determines its color?
What is the primary component of soil that determines its color?
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Organic matter. Dark organic matter gives soil its characteristic brown or black color.
Organic matter. Dark organic matter gives soil its characteristic brown or black color.
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What is the main component of soil that provides structure?
What is the main component of soil that provides structure?
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Clay. Clay particles bind together and create stable soil aggregates.
Clay. Clay particles bind together and create stable soil aggregates.
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Identify the type of soil that is best for growing crops.
Identify the type of soil that is best for growing crops.
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Loam. Equal parts sand, silt, and clay create ideal drainage and fertility.
Loam. Equal parts sand, silt, and clay create ideal drainage and fertility.
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Name the process of soil formation from parent material.
Name the process of soil formation from parent material.
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Pedogenesis. The scientific term for soil development from weathered rock material.
Pedogenesis. The scientific term for soil development from weathered rock material.
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Which soil particle allows for good drainage but poor nutrient retention?
Which soil particle allows for good drainage but poor nutrient retention?
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Sand. Large particles create pore spaces but cannot hold nutrients effectively.
Sand. Large particles create pore spaces but cannot hold nutrients effectively.
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Identify the soil layer that contains the most organic material.
Identify the soil layer that contains the most organic material.
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O horizon. The surface organic layer contains fresh and partially decomposed plant matter.
O horizon. The surface organic layer contains fresh and partially decomposed plant matter.
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