Vocabulary
The breakdown of rock by mechanical, chemical, or biological processes
What is weathering?
The smallest texture particle
What is clay?
The texture particle that is likely dominant if the soil is not draining properly
What is clay?
The thin, topmost horizon of soil made of completely decayed organic material
What is the O-horizon (humus)?
Capability classification for land that is economically useless
What is class VIII?
The largest texture particle
What is sand?
The medium sized texture particle
What is silt?
The texture particle that is likely dominant if water retention is poor
What is sand?
The solid, impenetrable layer underneath the C-horizon
What is bedrock?
Capability classification for land that is cultivatable with no restrictions
What is class I?
Dynamic mix of organic matter, water, air, and inorganic material that supports plant growth
What is soil?
The dark, fully-decomposed organic material found on the very top of soil
What is humus?
The texture that is likely dominant if the soil is well-drained and has good retention
What is silt?
Water leeches minerals through this layer of the soil
What is the A-horizon (topsoil)?
The land classification for a plot that can't be cultivated but can be used for grazing, forestry, and recreation
What is class V?
A balanced soil mixture containing balanced sand, silt, and clay. Ideal for most plants
What is loam?
Microorganisms that take N2 from the atmosphere and convert it into a form usable by plants
What is N-Fixing bacteria?
The ideal soil texture based on a balanced ratio of sand, silt, and clay
What is loam?
The zone of accumulation of leeched minerals
What is the B-horizon (subsoil)?
The land classification for land that can be cultivated but with moderate restrictions
What is class III?
The classification system for determining what land can be used for
What is land capability?
The process by which water dissolves minerals and carries them deeper into the soil
What is leeching?
The clay percentage if a soil texture is 37% sand and 42% silt
What is 21%?
The reason that soils tend to be quite shallow on steep slopes
What is erosion?
The land classification for land with steep slopes and heavy erosion risk, but can be used for forestry or wildlife
What is class VII?