Environmental Science
what three substances can you combine to make soil at home?
All that is needed is water, air, decomposers, more detritus and some time.
what is compost? how can you create your own compost?
All that is needed is water, air, decomposers, more detritus and some time. A pile of detritus , Access to water if it never rains, A pitchfork or shovel to turn the pile of detritus at least once a week
why do we say soil is an ecosystem? compare the amount of human and decomposers present in the different soil horizon(O,A,B,C).
Because soil contains both biotic (decomposers) and abiotic components (soil particles), we call it an ecosystem. Decomposers in the soil break down organic matter. Let's define: humus, detritus, compost!
what part of the soil provide the water ( with its dissolved nutrients) and air to the growing plant?
Bottom line the spaces provide water and air
what practices result in soil erosion?
Certain farming practices may lead to erosion Too much irrigation causing salinization or the leaching of nutrients-Compaction of the soil from machinery-Overgrazing from animals which compacts the soil and also removes all the vegetation.
what is desertification, what activity cause this, and how can we slow or stop this happening? How does excessive irrigation eventually lead to desertification?
Desertification is the process by which an area becomes desert-like.•This means that the area no longer supports a lot of plant growth. Basically, anything that reduces soil fertility or causes erosion can eventually lead to desertification!
where are most of the plant roots located in the soil( O,A,B,C horizon) Why is it important for decomposers to present in this layer of the soil as well?( Remember, decomposers are vitally important as they recycle nutrients. so dead things are broken down and their nutrient are added to the soil for plant use. the cycle of life continues!
Most of the humus/detritus, decomposers, and plant roots that absorb water and nutrients are located in the A layer (topsoil)
compare the soil profiles for different biomes ( desert vs. grassland vs . forest: temperate, tropical, coniferous) why do grassland have the best soil of all the biomes?
Note that the grassland soil has a much thicker topsoil layer than the forest and desert.Also note that the grassland soil is the darkest so it has the most nutrients. This is why we farm in grassland areas Great soil Very fertile topsoil (lots of nutrients) because grasses die each year and decompose.
how does sprinkling compost on top of your soil make it better?
So just add compost to the top of your soil and let the soil organisms work it into the soil over time.
where do the soil particles ( sand, silt ,clay) in soil come from?
The soil particles came from broken down rock
what does erosion reduce soil fertility and cause water pollution?
Wind and water carry loose soil away so if land is not covered with plants, erosion can occur. Erosion caused by water running off the land leads to water pollution.
How can we reduce erosion and restore soil fertility in badly managed areas? (this is the goal of US soil conservation Service.)
contour farming , stop cropping, crop rotation, wind rows, using vegetation to.
compare sand to clay: which one has great aeration and which one has great nutrient and water holding capacities? why?
sand has great aeration and clay has great nutriment and water holding capacities.
What is soil? What non-living and living components are present in soil?
soil is made up of non living and living components. soil contains both biotic ( decomposers ) and abiotic components ( soil particles) we can call it an ecosystem.
what is leaching and does this enhance or damage the soil?
water pull nutrients out of the soil spaces as it mores down than the soil