Question | Answer |
What's the definition for soils ? | Soil is the thin layer of loose material that covers the surface of the earth |
What are the 5 materials that make up soils ? | Mineral matter ,water ,air,living organisms and humus |
What is the largest component of soil | Mineral matter |
What is mineral matter made of | Broken down materials left by weathering of rocks. (Stones,sand,clay and silt) |
What is the function of mineral matter | It helps nourish plants that grow in the soil |
What is the function of water | It dissolves the minerals and nutrients in the soil which allows plants to absorb them through their roots. |
Where is air found | in the spaces between soil particles |
What dose air supply | Oxygen and nitrogen |
What do living organisms do to the soil | They burrow through the soil allowing water and air to pass through this helps to mix the soils |
What do micro organisms do | They break down dead plants and creatures to form humus |
Describe humus | A dark jelly like substance that is rich in nutrients |
What's leaching | Washing away of minerals and nutrients out of reach of plant roots by heavy rainfall |
What's the most common soil in Ireland | Brown soils |
What's an other popular soil in Ireland | Podzols |
how dose the climate have an influence on soil in cold areas | Freeze thaw action slowly breaks down rock this results in THIN SOILS development |
How dose the climate have an influence on soil in hot areas | Chemical weathering breaks down material to form DEEP SOILS |
What happens in wet areas | Leaching can wash materials and nutrients deep into soils causing them to become infertile |
Where is brown soils usually found in Ireland | In the south |
Name a country where tropical red soils are found | Africa |
Where is plant litter | On the very top |
What's another word for A horizon | Topsoils |
What's another word for B horizon | Subsoils |
What's another word for C horizon | Parent rock |