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ESS Term 5
ESS 2026 Syllabus Topic 5
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Describe Soil as a system | It is a dynamic system within the larger ecosystem that has its own inputs, outputs, storages and flows. |
| Recall the inorganic components of soil | Otherwise known as mineral matter (rock fragments, sand, silt and clay) come from weathering of parental rock. |
| Recall the organic components of soil | include living organisms and material from the decay of organisms. |
| Describe a soil classification key | keys published online to classify soils. In Australia it is the Australian Soil Classification Key |
| Describe a soil profile | A stable, layered structure made up of several horizons, produced by interactions within the system over long periods of time. There are more organic components in the upper layers, transitioning downwards to more inorganic layers. |
| Describe some soil system inputs | Dead organic matter inputs include, plant litter, dead animal biomass, manure. Inorganic mineral inputs may include weathering, deposition or decomposition, precipitation (water with dissolved minerals), gases, air, humidity and solar energy. |
| Recall some examples of anthropogenic inputs to soil | compost, fertilizer, agrochemicals, irrigation, salinization. |
| Recall some examples of natural inputs to soil | weathering of underlying parental rock, litter from above-ground vegetation, decomposition or can be derived from other ecosystems (wind-blown and waterborne deposition, guano). |
| Describe some soil system outputs | losses of dead organic matter due to decomposition, losses of mineral components and loss of energy due to heat loss. |
| Recall some examples of mineral component outputs of soil | erosion (wind/water), water and mineral absorption (plants), leaching (dissolved nutrients and water), diffusion (gases), evaporation (water). Outputs cause modification of soil components (different to total loss), lead to productive soil degradation. |
| Recall some transfers in the soil system | occur across soil horizons, into and out of soils. e.g. infiltration, percolation, groundwater flow, biological mixing, aeration, erosion and leaching. |
| Recall some transformations in the soil system | e.g. decomposition, weathering, nutrient cycling and salinization. |
| Why are transformations in the soil system critical to the ecosystem? | Transformations within soils can change the components or the whole soil system. |
| What components need to be included in a soil systems diagram? | flows into, out of and within the soil ecosystem. Inputs/outputs, transfers and transformations. |
| Why are soils important in terrestrial ecosystems? | They provide the foundation of terrestrial ecosystems as a medium for plant growth (a seed bank, a store of water and almost all essential plant nutrients). Not carbon; it is obtained by plants from the atmosphere. Store the key nutrients for plants: NPK |
| How do soils contribute to biodiversity? | by providing a habitat and a niche for many species. Soil communities have a large biodiversity, including microorganisms, animals and fungi (of which there are still many unknown species). |
| How are soils important in biogeochemical cycles? | They have an important role in the recycling of elements as a part of biogeochemical cycles. Particularly detritivores breaking down leaf litter and saprotrophs decomposing dead organic matter |
| Define soil texture | the physical make-up of the mineral soil. It depends on the relative proportions of sand, silt, clay and humus. |
| How can soil texture be determined? | using a key, a feel test or by mixing with water and separating the layers in the laboratory. |
| How does soil texture impact primary productivity? | through the differing influences of sand, silt, clay and dead organic matter, including humus. |
| Describe Humus | It lies beneath the leaf litter, with a loose, crumbly texture formed by the partial decay of dead plant material. It influences mineral nutrient retention/leaching, water retention/drainage, and aeration/compaction or waterlogging |
| Are soils a carbon sink, store or source? | Soils can act as carbon sinks, stores or sources, depending on the relative rates of input of dead organic matter and decomposition. |
Created by:
DrLeeAGS
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