Soil And Natural Vegetation

Submitted By Jack-Lan
Words: 438
Pages: 2

Soil and Natural Vegetation Assignment Soils Assignment 1. Soil: surface layer of the earth, composed of mineral and organic materials, air, and water
Nutrients: mineral substance that us absorbed by plant roots. Humus: dark, upper layer of soil made up of partially decayed plant material. Soil profile: different horizons (layers) in the soil and the rock layer (bedrock) below the soil.
Each horizon has different physical, biological and chemical characteristics. Weathering: breakdown of rock into small particles Parent material: rock from which soil is derived. Capillary action: movement of water upward through small spaces, as in soil 2. 1. Soil is composed of four base components. Minerals: the minerals is soil are derived from rock, known as parent material. When the rock is weathered and eroded into sand, silt and clay, the minerals become embedded into the soil.
Minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and potassium are necessary for plant growth. Bacteria and Organic Materials:
Deaf organic material is broken down and decomposed by bacteria in the soil. This process forms humus, which provides nutrients and moisture for plants. Air:
In order to thrive, plants require air around their roots. High humus levels produce air pockets because loose, decaying material is very porous. Moisture: Water dissolves nutrients in the soil and is taken up by plants through their roots. 2. a) New mineral materials are added at the bottom of the soil by the weathering of parents material. At the same time, organic materials are added to the top. This top layer of soil containing humus is called topsoil. b) over the last 6000 to 10000 years, 15 to 25 cm of topsoil have formed in Canada. c) some regions of canada have maritime