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ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY
CHAPTER 13 - SOIL AND ITS USES
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| crust | the thin, outer, solid surface of the Earth |
| mantle | the layer of the Earth between the crust and the core |
| lithosphere | a combination of the crust and outer layer of the mantle that forms the plates that move over the Earth’s surface |
| asthenosphere | part of Earth’s mantle capable of plastic flow |
| plate tectonics | the concept that the outer surface of the Earth consists of large plates that are slowly moving over the surface of a plastic layer |
| weathering | the physical and chemical breakdown of materials; involved in the breakdown of parent material in soil formation |
| mechanical weathering | physical forces that reduce the size of rock particles without changing the chemical nature of the rock |
| chemical weathering | processes that involve the chemical alteration of rock in such a manner that it is more likely to fragment or to be dissolved |
| erosion | the processes that loosen and move particles from one place to another |
| land | the surface of the Earth not covered by water |
| soil | a mixture of mineral material, organic matter, air, water, and living organisms; capable of supporting plant growth |
| parent material | material that is weathered to become the mineral part of the soil |
| humus | partially decomposed organic matter typically found in the top layer of the soil |
| soil texture | refers to the size of the particles that make up the soil. Sandy soil has large particles, and clay soil has small particles |
| loam | a soil type with good drainage and good texture that is ideal for growing crops |
| soil structure | refers to the way that soil particles clump together. Sand has little structure because the particles do not stick to one another |
| friable | a soil characteristics that describes how well a soil crumbles |
| soil profile | the series of layers (horizons) seen as one digs down into the soil |
| horizon | a horizontal layer in the soil. The top layer (a horizon) has organic matter. The lower layer (B horizon) receives nutrients by leaching. The C horizon is partially weathered parent material |
| litter | a layer of undecomposed or partially decomposed organic matter on the soil surface |
| leaching | the movement of minerals from the top layers of the soil to the B horizon by the downward movement of soil water |
| erosion | the processes that loosen and move particles form one place to another |
| contour farming | a method of tilling and planting at right angles to the slope, which reduces soil erosion by runoff |
| strip farming | the planting of crops in strips that alternate with other crops. The primary purpose is to reduce erosion |
| terraces | a level area constructed on steep slopes to allow agriculture without extensive erosion |
| waterways | low areas that water normally flows through |
| windbreaks | the planting of trees or strips of grasses at right angles to the prevailing wind to reduce erosion of soil by wind |
| reduced tillage | a tillage method that generally leaves 15 to 30 percent of the soil surface covered with crop residue following planting |
| conservation tillage | a tillage method in which 30 percent or more of the soil surface is left covered with crop residue following planting |
Created by:
Jessica C
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