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Soil Science Final
Soil Classification and Orders
44
Science
Undergraduate 2
12/15/2010

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Term
Why is it important to classify the Soils?
Definition
Provide Universal Language
Organization of knowledge
Store Information
Highlight important properties
Term
Soil Taxonomy
Definition
Hierarchial grouping of soil bodies
Term
Soil Classification History
Definition
First zonal-then U.S Classification then FO/UN World reference for soil- 1999 soil taxonomy available on line-2005 Keys (10th ed) to soil taxonomy
Term
First Number in Naming
Definition
Type of parent material; no number assumes one parent material
Term
Upper Case letter in naming
Definition
Majro soil horizon
Term
lower case letter
Definition
additional information about horizon
Term
Order
Definition
12 orders in U.S.; defined on basis of horizons-Formative Element + sols ending
Term
Suborder
Definition
based largely on moisture regime. Major environmental control
Term
Great group and Subgroup
Definition
Based on presence of certain kinds of horizons
Term
Family
Definition
Based largely on particle size, mineralogy, temperature. Physical/chemical properties
Term
Series
Definition
Based on wide set of properties; 19,000 series in U.S.
Term
Diagnostic Soil Horizons
Definition
Soil layer representative of a soil process or
Term
Laterization (translocation, transformation) migration of silica out of a horizon accumulating oxides
Definition
Term
Gellisols
Definition
Soils with permafrost within 100 cm or cryoturbation and permafrost within 200 cm- 9% of worlds ice free land
Term
Uses of Gelisols
Definition
Fossil fuel extraction, Subsistence-Init-Wilderness
Term
Cryoturbation
Definition
Permafrost;frost-stirring, ice segregation
Term
Histosols
Definition
Soils with organic soil materials extending down to an impermeable layer or with an organic layer that is more than 40 cm thick without andic prperties
Term
Spodosols
Definition
Soils with a spodic horizon within 2m of soil surface and without andic properties. Dominant process is podzoliation. Low nutrition, low decomposition, high production of humic/fluvic acid.
Term
Andisols
Definition
Soils with andic properties (low density, glass, pumice, short-range order minerals)
Term
Oxisols
Definition
Soils with an oxic horizon within 150 cm of the soil surface-dominant process is laterization
Term
Uses of Oxisols
Definition
Tropical forestry. Subsistence farming-"shifting agriculture" Low-intensity grazing. Intensive plantation agriculture-sugracane pineapples, bananas, coffee
Term
Vertisols
Definition
Soils with 30% or more clay to a depth of 50 cm and shrinking/ swelling. SMECTITE.
Term
Ultisols
Definition
Soils with an argillic or kandic horizon or fragipan and a base saturation of <35% at 2 m depth or 75 cm below a fragipan
Term
Mollisols
Definition
Soils with a mollic epipedon and a base saturation of >50% to an impermeable layer at 1.8 m from the soil surface. Prairie and forest soil
Term
Alfisol
Definition
Soils with an argillic, kandic or natric horizon or fragipan with clay skins
Term
Inceptisols
Definition
Soils with a cambic, sulfuric, calcic, gypsis, petrocalcic, or petrogysic horizon, or with a mollic, umbric or histic epipedon, or with an exchangeable sodium percentage of >15% or a fragipan
Term
Entisol
Definition
Other soil
Term
Erosion
Definition
Loss of soil mainly by wind and water.-Converts soil into sediment. Starts a downward spiral to low productivity
Term
Geologic erosion
Definition
erosion is a part of weathering and soil formation so some erosion is inevitable. Presence of rich soils proves that for long time soil erosion was less than soil formation. Life on soil modifies conditions making erosion less. Idealy-limit erosion to the rate of soil formation
Term
Soil-Loss Tolerance
Definition
Soil-loss tolerance is called the T-Value. Maximum rate of loss of soil without degrading long-term productivity. 2-5 tons/acre/yr
Term
Water Erosion
Definition
Energy in rain drops falling at terminal velocity changes soils (detaches soil particles, destroys aggregate granulation, can transport soil from splash downhill, when soil dries crust often forms. ...Detachment-Transport-Deposition
Term
Types of water erosion
Definition
Sheet, rill and gulley
Term
USLE
Definition
Universal soil loss equation. Wuantifies soil erosion. . Usle was based on thousands of measurements of runoff and sediment loss on standard plots at various locations across the U.S.
Term
R (Erosion Equation)
Definition
rainfall erosivity. Erosive power of rainfall depends on rain intensity, duration and amount. Central Wisconsin=1700
Term
K (Erosion Equation)
Definition
Soils inherent susceptibility to erosion. Depends on infiltration capacity and strength of soil structure. Low value=.005, Medium=.03, High=.09
Term
L and S (Erosion Equation)
Definition
Both length and steepness combines (see graph for number)
Term
C (Erosion Equation)
Definition
Cover and Management Factor- vegetation reduces soil erosion by protecting the soil surface. C is teh ratio of soil loss with vegetation divided by soil loss from bare, cultivated soil
Term
P (Erosion Equation)
Definition
Erosion-control practices- defined practices that reduce soil loss. No control practices=0
Term
Buffer
Definition
trap sediments and nutrients in runoff, bank stabilization to improve stream quality. Tree-shaded streams provide cooler, more exygenated water. IMprove fish and wildlife habitat,. Native plant species reservoir. Sustain lake water quality
Term
Disadvantages of buffers
Definition
Not a cure-all, take land out of agricultural production. Tree shaded banks promote bare soil and soil erosion. Weed reservoir. Habitat for undesirable specicies.
Term
Working with All people
Definition
Even if explained they might not understand. If you understand you ma be mistaken. KISS will get you no where. Never use numbers/names in hypothetical situations. Bad blood, don't ask federal agencies to change. Heated conversations are good. Can't satisfy all science demands.
Term
The Urban Explosion
Definition
80% of U.S. in urban areas esp. cities. Urbanized lind up from 51 million in 1982 to 79 million in 1997
Term
Urban Soils (general Features)
Definition
great spatial variablility. compaction leading to modified structure, presence of a surface crust on bare soil, usually through hydrophobic. Modified pH >7. restricted aeration and drainage. Interrupted nutrient cycling. Presence of manufactured materials and other contaminants. Modified temperature.
Term
Technosols
Definition
Properties and pedogenesis domninated by technical origin. Significant amount of artifcats recognizable as human origin. sealed technic hard rock. Soils developed from wastes. Pavements with underlying onconsolidated materials. Soils with geomembranes and constructued soils in human mad. Many covered by natural soil material to permit re-vegetation.
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