Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is one benefit of adding organic matter to soil?
What is one benefit of adding organic matter to soil?
Which soil conservation practice helps to prevent soil compaction?
Which soil conservation practice helps to prevent soil compaction?
What effect does contour farming have on soil erosion?
What effect does contour farming have on soil erosion?
Which practice involves using alternating strips of crops?
Which practice involves using alternating strips of crops?
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How does keeping the ground covered benefit the ecosystem?
How does keeping the ground covered benefit the ecosystem?
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What is a consequence of excessive tillage on soil?
What is a consequence of excessive tillage on soil?
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What is a key advantage of diversifying crops?
What is a key advantage of diversifying crops?
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What is the main purpose of planting windbreaks?
What is the main purpose of planting windbreaks?
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Which of the following is a primary cause of soil erosion?
Which of the following is a primary cause of soil erosion?
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What is a significant impact of soil erosion on agriculture?
What is a significant impact of soil erosion on agriculture?
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How does contour farming help in reducing soil erosion?
How does contour farming help in reducing soil erosion?
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Which of the following methods is designed to retain soil moisture and reduce erosion?
Which of the following methods is designed to retain soil moisture and reduce erosion?
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What environmental problem can be exacerbated by soil erosion?
What environmental problem can be exacerbated by soil erosion?
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What defines poorly developed soil?
What defines poorly developed soil?
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Which of the following is NOT a factor determining farmable land?
Which of the following is NOT a factor determining farmable land?
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What was a consequence of the Dust Bowl of the 1930s?
What was a consequence of the Dust Bowl of the 1930s?
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What is the primary purpose of herbicides in agriculture?
What is the primary purpose of herbicides in agriculture?
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Which factor does NOT contribute to pesticide resistance in pest populations?
Which factor does NOT contribute to pesticide resistance in pest populations?
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What is a significant environmental concern associated with the use of fertilizers?
What is a significant environmental concern associated with the use of fertilizers?
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How do fungicides primarily affect crops?
How do fungicides primarily affect crops?
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What is a primary concern regarding human health in relation to pesticide use?
What is a primary concern regarding human health in relation to pesticide use?
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What characteristic defines an ideal pesticide that has yet to be developed?
What characteristic defines an ideal pesticide that has yet to be developed?
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What is the main advantage of mechanized monoculture farming?
What is the main advantage of mechanized monoculture farming?
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Which pest type would likely be targeted by insecticides?
Which pest type would likely be targeted by insecticides?
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What is a common benefit of using shifting agriculture in tropical areas?
What is a common benefit of using shifting agriculture in tropical areas?
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What is a disadvantage of monoculture farming?
What is a disadvantage of monoculture farming?
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Study Notes
Physical Geography: Classifying Soils, Soil Erosion and Conservation, Agricultural Methods
- The topic is physical geography, specifically soil classification, soil erosion, conservation, and agricultural methods.
- The dates for the course are November 18th-20th, 2024.
- The professor is Pete Puleo.
Soil Classification
- Soil classification is currently categorized by Soil Taxonomy.
- The Soil Taxonomy system includes 12 soil orders.
- Learning objectives include describing the Soil Taxonomy system and the 12 soil orders.
- Also included are regional soil order patterns in the US and globally.
- Historically, soil was thought to be solely a product of weathering bedrock.
- Vasily Dokuchaev demonstrated environmental conditions also play a role.
- Curtis Marbut developed the US soil classification system, focusing on climate.
- The USDA later revised this system, using more observable soil characteristics.
- Soil horizons are distinct soil layers identified by their characteristics.
Soil Taxonomy
- Soil Taxonomy uses a hierarchical organization system for soil classification.
- The hierarchy is ordered as follows: Order, Suborder, Great Group, Subgroup, Great Group, Family, and Series.
Soil Orders
- A list of the 12 soil orders: Aridisols, Mollisols, Alfisols, Ultisols, Oxisols, Spodosols, Gelisols, Entisols, Inceptisols, Histosols, Vertisols, and Andisols.
Soil Formation Review
- Soil formation is affected by biology, climate, and topography.
- Energy flows through time.
- Organic matter builds up.
- Mobile elements are leached.
- Clay or mineral build-up occurs.
Soil Horizons
- Soil horizons are distinct soil layers.
- O-horizon: Organic layer.
- A-horizon: Topsoil.
- E-horizon: Eluviated zone.
- B-horizon: Accumulation zone/Subsoil.
- C-horizon: Parent material.
- R-horizon: Bedrock.
Soil Order: Aridisols (Dry)
- Occur in arid climates.
- Moderately developed (has a B horizon).
- Only farmed if irrigated, commonly grazed.
Soil Order: Mollisols (Prairie)
- Grassland soils of temperate latitudes.
- With thick, organic matter-rich, dark A horizon
- Organic matter from grass.
- B horizons can have calcium carbonate precipitate from evaporation.
- Used to grow corn and wheat.
Soil Order: Alfisols (Forest)
- Temperate deciduous forest soils.
- With thinner organic A horizons and lots of clay in B horizons.
- Organic matter from leaves.
- Moderatly weathered but supports farming when nutrients are added.
Soil Order: Ultisols (Old)
- Warmer, wetter climate soil with extensive clay in the B horizon.
- Older, more developed, and more acidic.
- Fertility rapidly depleted if farmed.
Soil Order: Oxisols (Tropical)
- Soils of the tropics, very warm and wet regions.
- Extremely weathered with iron oxides (red color).
- Low nutrient availability.
- Forest is cut down, burned, and then farmed for a few years and repeated.
Soil Order: Spodosols (Boreal)
- Sandy soils of coniferous forest regions.
- Form in temperate to warm climates.
- Low clay, high oxide, and high humus B horizons and gray mineral rich E horizons.
- Lumbering is common.
- Agriculture is less common because of relatively high acidity.
Soil Order: Gelisols (Frozen)
- Soils in the highest latitude, coldest climates with permafrost.
- Large amounts of undecomposed organic matter.
- Permafrost feedback: warming leads to more decomposition, releasing greenhouse gases.
Soil Order: Entisols (New)
- New soils with no distinct horizons.
- Not tied to a specific climate.
- Common in areas prone to erosion and deposition (slopes, floodplains, etc.)
- Found where parent materials greatly resist erosion.
Soil Order: Inceptisols (Young)
- Slightly developed soils with the beginning of a B horizon (no clays).
- Not tied to a certain climate.
- Common on steep slopes and where parent materials resist erosion.
Soil Order: Histosols (Wetland)
- Soils that are water-saturated and high in organic matter, called peat.
- Common in wetlands which occur across many climate regimes.
- Water saturation prevents decomposition and carbon emissions to the atmosphere.
Soil Order: Vertisols (Shrink-Swell)
- Soils that shrink and grow with seasonal rainfall (soil cracks).
- Very high percentage of clay usually from parent material.
- Exist across a range of climates.
- Bad for construction - not a solid base.
Soil Order: Andisols (Volcanic)
- Soil developed on volcanic ash with weakly developed B horizons.
- Not primarily influenced by climate.
- High organic matter, great at retaining water.
- Fertile and used for farming across many regions.
Soil Orders Summary
- Summarizes characteristics of each soil order.
Soil Conservation Methods
- Adding organic matter improves soil structure, enhances water and nutrient holding, protects from erosion, and supports organisms.
- Avoiding excessive tillage minimizes loss of organic matter, protects soil surface and structure, reduces erosion, and reduces compaction.
- Efficient pest and nutrient management reduces water and air pollution, minimizes impact to nontarget organisms, and improves long-term sustainability.
- Various methods like contour farming, strip farming, terracing, waterways, windbreaks, and diversification help prevent soil erosion.
Activity 1 Descriptions
- The activity involves answering questions about soil orders in Wisconsin.
Activity 2 Descriptions
- The activity involves answering questions about soil erosion trends.
Activity 3 Descriptions
- The activity involves discussing soil conservation and pesticide use.
Multiple Choice Practice Questions
- Set of multiple choice questions about soil and soil conservation.
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