Soil Basics
Define the term used for the uppermost soil layer rich in organic matter.
A Horizon
State the five factors of soil formation (CLORPT)
Climate, Organisms, Relief, Parent material, Time
Define soil erosion.
The removal of topsoil by wind or water.
Define subsistence agriculture.
Farming that produces enough food for the farmer’s family with little or no surplus.
Define crop rotation.
Growing different crops in sequence on the same land.
Describe the composition of soil in terms of its main components.
Soil is made of mineral particles (sand, silt, clay), organic matter (humus), air, and water.
Describe the process of leaching in soil formation.
Leaching is the downward movement of dissolved nutrients and minerals through the soil by water.
Describe how salinization occurs in agricultural soils.
Salts accumulate when irrigation water evaporates, leaving dissolved salts behind, especially in poorly drained soils.
Describe the characteristics of intensive agriculture.
High inputs of labor, fertilizers, and machinery to maximize yield per unit area.
Describe how contour plowing reduces soil erosion.
Plowing along contour lines slows water runoff and reduces soil loss.
Explain how soil texture affects water retention and drainage.
Clay soils retain water due to small particles and low permeability, while sandy soils drain quickly due to larger particles and higher permeability.
Explain how climate influences the rate of soil formation.
Warm, wet climates increase weathering and decomposition rates, speeding up soil formation, while cold or dry climates slow these processes.
Explain how overgrazing contributes to desertification.
Overgrazing removes vegetation cover, exposing soil to erosion, reducing organic matter, and leading to land degradation in dry areas.
Explain the environmental impacts of monoculture farming.
Monoculture reduces biodiversity, depletes soil nutrients, and increases vulnerability to pests and diseases.
Explain how agroforestry contributes to soil conservation.
Trees reduce erosion, improve soil structure, and add organic matter through leaf litter.
Distinguish between soil texture and soil structure.
Texture refers to particle size (sand, silt, clay), while structure refers to how those particles are arranged into aggregates.
Compare and contrast physical and chemical weathering.
Physical weathering breaks rocks into smaller pieces without changing composition, while chemical weathering alters mineral composition through reactions like oxidation or hydrolysis.
Distinguish between sheet erosion and gully erosion.
Sheet erosion removes a thin, uniform layer of soil, while gully erosion creates deep channels due to concentrated water flow.
Compare and contrast subsistence and commercial farming.
Subsistence farming focuses on survival with low inputs, while commercial farming aims for profit with high inputs and large-scale production.
Compare and contrast organic and conventional farming.
Organic farming avoids synthetic inputs and promotes sustainability, while conventional farming uses chemicals to maximize yield.
What is Lucas's biggest love? (the environment or Katie)
Tell us Lucas...
Evaluate the relative importance of climate compared to other soil-forming factors.
Climate is often the most influential factor because it controls weathering and biological activity, but its impact is interdependent with organisms, parent material, relief, and time.
Evaluate the effectiveness of human strategies to reduce soil degradation.
Strategies like terracing, afforestation, and sustainable farming are effective, but success depends on economic resources, education, and local environmental conditions.
To what extent can modern agricultural technology improve food security sustainably?
Technology can greatly increase yields and efficiency, but may harm the environment unless managed sustainably.
Evaluate the effectiveness of sustainable farming practices in maintaining long-term soil fertility.
Sustainable practices are highly effective long-term, but may produce lower short-term yields and require more knowledge and labor.