Soils

How is soil formed?

• by weathering, transportation and deposition of parent material

• Organic matter

• Rocks

• Time

What other factors affect soil formation?

Which of the following are soil horizons?

• P

• T

• Substrata

• O

What is another name for the A-horizon?

• Substrata

• Subsoil

• Organic Matter

• Topsoil or Surface Horizon

What materials are associated with the B-horizon or Subsoil?

• mix of rock, humus, clay and nutrient minerals (iron and aluminum)

• Bedrock

• Organic matter

• below roots and contain mostly parent material

What kind of erosion is pictured?

• River

• Rill

• Gully

• Sheet

What answer (s) best represent the factors leading to erosion?

• Wind, gravity, water

• Parent material

• Human factors-deforestation, overgrazing, pesticides, tillage practices

• Topography

What strategy is BEST employed to help slow RILL erosion into water?

• Do nothing

• maintain plant cover to soak up excess water

• Divert water away from rills and gullies to decrease size of channels

• strip cropping or contour plowing/farming

Why should we protect soils?

Which soil particle is the largest?

• Clay

• Sand

• Silt

• Loam