Soil revision - Key words quiz

What is humus?

• A diagram showing the different layers of soil
• The rock type from which soil gets its mineral matter
• Decayed organic matter that adds nutrients to soils

What is humification?

• A process where organic matter decays to form humus
• A layer within a soil profile
• When rain washes nutrients and minerals from A horizon into the B horizon

What is parent material?

• The layers within a soil profile
• An impermeable crust that develops at the base of the A horizon
• The rock type from which soil gets its mineral matter

What is a soil profile?

• A layer within a soil profile
• The rock type from which soil gets its mineral matter
• A diagram showing the different layers of soil

What are horizons?

• Broken down bits of rocks that have been weathered/eroded
• The layers within a soil profile
• Remains of vegetation that fall on top of the soil and decompose to form humus

What is leaching?

• A process where organic matter decays to form humus
• An impermeable crust that develops at the base of the A horizon
• When rain washes nutrients and minerals from A horizon into the B horizon leaving the soil less fertile

What is hardpan?

• The rock type from which soil gets its mineral matter
• An impermeable crust that develops at the base of the A horizon due to excessive leaching
• A diagram showing the different layers of soil

What is mineral matter?

• The rock type from which soil gets its mineral matter
• A layer within a soil profile
• Broken down bits of rocks that have been weathered/eroded

What is plant litter?

• A diagram showing the different layers of soil
• The rock type from which soil gets its mineral matter
• Remains of vegetation that fall on top of the soil and decompose to form humus

What is Irelands most common soil?

• Brown earth
• Podzol
• Peaty soils