Soil features I
What is soil made of?
Mineral particles
Organic remains
Water
Air
Name and organize by size (lower to higher) the different particles that make up soil
1. clay
2. silt
3. sand
True or false:
Fertile soil is a renewable resource
False, once it degenerates it cannot be replaced quickly naturally
Which is the most sustainable food production practice in MEDC´S. Explain
MEDCs have many people working in industry and so they must be provided with food from large-scale commercial farming.
Large-scale farming tends to rely heavily on machinery, chemicals and extensive use of fossil fuels
What is horizon O from the soil mostly made of?
Organic matter
Name the type of soil that has an equal proportion of the 3 types of particles
Loam
The most important nutrients for soil are:
1. Nitrogen
2. Oxygen
3. Potassium
False
1. Nitrogen
2. Phosphorus
3. Potassium
Why are the food production systems influenced by culture and religion?
Some religions proscribe certain foods, eg Islam and Judaism proscribe eating pork, Hindus do not eat beef. Our traditions determine what foodstuffs we prefer
Define salinization
What type of soil is the worst for agriculture?
Sandy/sand
The best pH for soils is 7.
True
Why are the food production systems influenced by Politics?
Governments can subsidize or put tariffs on some foods to encourage or discourage their production, eg the EU manipulates production in this way.
What is R horizon mostly made of?
Bedrock
Define permeability
The ease at which gases and liquids can pass through the soil
There isn´t enough food in the world to cover every human.
False
There is, but there is a problem with the distribution of it.
Which type of food production system requires more water, agricultural or livestock farming? Explain
Livestock, need water for crops that then will be fed to the animals, plus the water animals need to survive
Define Leaching
Transport of dissolved minerals by water that falls down in the soil.
What is the best type of soil for agriculture? Explain why
Loam
The sand particles ensure good drainage and a good air supply to the roots.
The clay retains water and supplies nutrients, so they are fertile.
The silt particles help to hold the sand and clay particles together and they can be worked easily.
Terrestrial food production systems are more efficient than Aquatic food systems
False
Define Malnutrition
Unbalanced diet
Lacking nutrients: undernourishment, usually a lack of calories.
Excessive nutrients: overnourishment, usually too many calories leading to obesity.
Unbalanced nutrients: the wrong proportion of micro-nutrients.