Soil Resources - Montgomery College土壤资源-蒙哥马利学院.pptVIP

BI 105AEnvironmental Biology Professor Jill Nissen Montgomery College Spring 2006 Soils and Their Preservation Chapter 14 Objectives Page 308, # 1-8 Identify the factors involved in soil formation. List the four components of soil. Briefly describe soil texture and soil acidity. Explain the impacts of soil erosion and mineral depletion on plant growth and on other resources such as water. Describe the American Dust Bowl and explain how a combination of natural and human-induced factors caused this disaster. Define sustainable soil use and summarize how conservation tillage, crop rotation, contour plowing, strip cropping, terracing, and shelterbelts help to minimize erosion and mineral depletion of the soil. Discuss the basic process of soil reclamation. Briefly describe the provisions of the Farm Bill regarding the Conservation Reserve Program and the Grasslands Reserve Program. What is Soil? Soil is the thin surface layer of Earth’s crust Consists of mineral and organic matter modified by the natural action of weather, wind, water, and organisms Soil is essential for terrestrial life! Soil Formation Biological, chemical, and physical weathering processes slowly break parent material (rock) into smaller and smaller particles Soil Formation The five main factors controlling soil formation are: Climate weathering rates faster in warm, moist climate more rainfall, more leaching and more vegetation Organisms plants are a source of organic matter (humus) micro-organisms (bacteria) break down organic matter Parent Material type of bedrock (granite, limestone, etc.) Relief (Topography) soil is poorly developed on steep slope Time soils generally take thousands of years to develop, but can be eroded in a few decades Soil Composition Air (25%) Oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide Mineral Matter (45%) Weathered rock Organic Matter (5%) Humus, partially decomposed organic matter Water (25%) The movement of water and dissolved material downward through the soil