Term
|
Definition
| the process that breaks down rock and other substances at Earth's surface |
|
|
Term
| mechanical/physical weathering |
|
Definition
| the type of weathering in which rock is physically broken into smaller pieces |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the movement of rock particles by wind, water, ice, or gravity |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the grinding away of rock by rock particles carried by water, ice, wind, or gravity |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the process that breaks down rock through chemical changes |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| means that a material is full of tiny, connected air spaces that allow water to seep through it |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the loose, weathered material on Earth's surface in which plants can grow |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the solid layer of rock beneath the soil |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a layer of soil that differs in color and texture from the layers above or below it |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| usually consists of clay and other particles washed down from the A horizon, but little humus |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the organisms that break the remains of dead organisms into smaller pieces and digest them with chemicals |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the thick mass of tough roots at the surface of the soil |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| one that is naturally replaced in a relatively short time |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| and area where wind erosion caused severe loss of topsoil during the 1930s |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the practive of plowing fields along the curves of slopes |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| disturbs the soil and its plant cover as little as possible |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the management of soil to prevent its destruction |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a crumbly, dark brown soil that is a mixture of humus, clay, and other minerals |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| when wedges of ice in rocks widen and deepen cracks in rocks |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a dark-colored substance that forms as plant and animal remains decay |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| soil that is made up of about equal parts of clay, sand, and silt |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the loose layer on plants after they shed leaves |
|
|
Term
| mechanical/physical causes |
|
Definition
| freezing and thawing, release of pressure, growth of plants, and actions of animals |
|
|
Term
| 3 causes of chemical weathering |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| factors that affect the rate of weathering |
|
Definition
| the type of rock, climate, and type of weathering |
|
|
Term
| why does chemical weathering occurs faster in hot, wet climates than in cool, dry climates? |
|
Definition
| rainfall provides the water needed for chemical changes as well as for freezing and thawing; chemical reactions occur faster at higher temperatures |
|
|
Term
| what role does weathering play in the formation of soil |
|
Definition
| soil occurs at the rate of weathering, and weathering occurs more rapidly in warm, rainy climates, so soil forms more quickly in areas like this; some types of rock weather and become soil faster than others |
|
|
Term
| how do plants and animals affect the formation and composition of soil? |
|
Definition
| some animals dig and nest in soil, mixing it and allowing nutrients to get mixed up; plants roots grow and break up the soil and hold it in place |
|
|
Term
| how do forest soils differ from prairie soils |
|
Definition
| forest soils form in wet climates and either are rich in humus, or have very little; prairie soils form in cool, dry climates of grassland, in which topsoil is thick and rich in humus |
|
|
Term
| why is soil one of Earth's most important resources? |
|
Definition
| because everything depends on soil; plants to grow in, animals to eat plants, other animals eating the animals that eat plants, humuans to eat the plants and animals, everything can relate to soil in the form of eating and food |
|
|
Term
| how did settlers on the Great Plains help create the Dust Bowl? |
|
Definition
| they farmed the soil over and over again, not giving it time to rest, and so the soil became little humus and weak; then during a dry period, the weak soil turned to dust, and when the wind blew, the wind picked up the dust, and the dust went everywhere in "Dusters", or dust storms |
|
|
