Soils Flashcards

Question

What generally results in soil being more vulnerable to erosion?

Answer 1

Clearing vegetation - rain falls directly onto the soil instead of being intercepted by plants and their roots cant bind together the soil, vegetation also slows down the wind so removing it exposes the ground to stronger surface winds Topography - soil is most likely to be washed down a steep slope Climate - high rainfall increases water erosion water erosion - low rainfall and high temperatures mean soil is dry which males it more vulnerable to wind erosion Lad use - plowing loosens soil and exposes it to wind and rain making it more vulnerable to erosion

Answer 2

Crop rotation - instead of leaving field bare after the main crop is harvested farmers can plant cover crops which help maintain soil until the main crop is grown again Windbreaks - hedges or trees can be planted around the fields are barriers against wind erosion Terracing - steps can be cut into a steep hillside to slow down the movement of water down the slope Contour ploughing -ploughing across the slope instead of downslope - this stops rainwater flowing downhill quickly Mulching - covering soil with a layer of plant material protects the soil from wind and rain and slows down runoff

Answer 3

Is when spaces between soil particles become filled with water

Answer 4

Soils with few airspace fills up with water quicky e.g. clay "Hard pans" hinder drainage which can cause water logging of the soil above Precipitation is higher than evapotranspiration Too much irrigation

Answer 5

Plant roots are surrounded by water, which limits their growth and can rot them Water decreases soil temperature which can reduce crop growth crops may become outcompeted by weeds that cope better in wet conditions Land is hard to plough as machinery sinks into the soil

Answer 6

Avoid over watering crops Drain the soil using underwaters pipes or ditches in the field change the composition of the soil add sand to clay soil

Answer 7

The build up of salt in soil

Answer 8

High temperatures draw water to the surface where it evaporates leaving slat behind In dry climates there isn't enough rainfall to leach soil away Irrigation water contains salt when water is absorbed by plants or evaporated the salt are left behind Some fertilisers contain salt and too much means it's stayed behind in the soil

Answer 9

Salt can stop crops from absorbing the water they need from the soil Some salts are toxic to plants - reducing yield High slat means water may flow from the plants roots to to soil dehydrating the plants

Answer 10

Avoid waterlogging use minimal water for irrigation and use the appropriate amount and type of fertiliser

Answer 11

When pores spaces in the soil is lost

Answer 12

Use of heavy machinery or trampling by livestock or people Removal of vegetation as plants roots help maintain soil suture Salinisation in clay soils as it causes clay particles to build up

Answer 13

If the soil is too compacted it is difficult for plants roots to grow A loss of pore spaces in the soil means that there is a reduced capacity for water so plants can dry out Land is also harder to plough

Answer 14

soils with few airspaces fill up quickly like clay "hard pans" hinder drainage so waterlogging in the soil above precipitation is higher than evapotranspiration too much irrigation

Answer 15

plnts roots are surrounded by water which limits their growth and can rot them water decreases soil temperature which can reduce crop growth crops may be out - competed by weeds that can cope bettwe in wetter conditions land is hard to plough

Answer 16

avoid over - watering crops drain the soil using underground pipes or ditches around the feilds change the composition of the soil

Answer 17

high temperatures draw water to the surface where it evaportaes and leaves salt crystals in dry climates there isnt enough water to leach away salts irrigation water contains salts when water is absorbed by plants or evaporated the salts are left behind some fertailises contain salts so too much means some salts are left in the soil

Answer 18

Salt can stop crops from absorbing water they need from the soil some salts are toxic to plants so may reduce yield and kill them water flows from areas of low salinity to high salinity will mean plants might become dehydrated

Answer 19

avoid waterlogging only use as much iriggation as needed - drip irrigation add the appropiate type and amount of fertiliser

Soils Flashcards

(44 cards)