Edaphology Vs Pedology Quiz

Edaphology:
- Focuses on the influence of soil on living organisms, particularly plants.
- Examines soil's role in agriculture, ecology, and environmental sustainability.
- Concerned with soil management and its impact on human activity.
Pedology:
- Studies the origin, classification, and mapping of soils.
- Encompasses soil formation processes and their historical development.
- Primarily concerned with soil morphology and development.

Soil Horizons:
- O Horizon: Organic layer rich in decomposed plant material (humus).
- A Horizon: Topsoil; a mix of organic material and minerals; critical for plant growth.
- E Horizon: Eluviation layer; leaching of minerals and nutrients.
- B Horizon: Subsoil; accumulation of minerals and nutrients leached from above.
- C Horizon: Parent material; weathered rock and particulate matter.
- R Horizon: Bedrock; solid rock layer beneath soil.
Soil Types:
- Clay: Small particles, retains moisture, poor drainage.
- Sandy: Coarse particles, good drainage, poor nutrient retention.
- Silty: Intermediate size, fertile, good drainage and retention.
- Loamy: Mix of clay, sand, and silt; ideal for agriculture due to balanced properties.

Physical Properties:
- Texture: Proportions of sand, silt, and clay.
- Structure: Arrangement of soil particles into aggregates.
- Density: Mass per unit volume; influences air and water movement.
Chemical Properties:
- pH: Acidity or alkalinity affects nutrient availability.
- Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC): Ability to hold positively charged ions (cations).
- Organic Matter: Essential for nutrient supply and soil health.
Biological Properties:
- Microbial activity: Decomposition and nutrient cycling.
- Soil fauna: Earthworms, insects, and their contributions to aeration and structure.
Functions:
- Supports plant growth and agriculture.
- Water filtration and storage.
- Habitat for organisms.
- Carbon storage and nutrient cycling.

Conservation Tillage: Reduces soil disturbance; retains moisture and organic matter.
Crop Rotation: Alternating crops to improve soil health and fertility.
Cover Cropping: Planting crops that cover soil, preventing erosion and enhancing nutrient cycling.
Contour Farming: Plowing along the contour lines to reduce erosion.
Terracing: Creating steps on slopes to slow water runoff and reduce soil loss.
Agroforestry: Integrating trees with crops and livestock to enhance biodiversity and stability.

General Definition: A natural resource composed of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and organisms that supports plant life.
Soil in Edaphology: Considered a living ecosystem that interacts with plants, animals, and human activity.
Soil in Pedology: Defined based on its formation, classification, and properties observed in the field.

Edaphology focuses on the influence of soil on living organisms, especially plants, with a focus on applications like agriculture, ecology, and environmental sustainability.
Pedology studies the origin, classification, and mapping of soils, emphasizing soil formation processes and their historical development.

Soil horizons are layers within a soil profile, each with distinct characteristics:
- O Horizon: The top layer, rich in decomposed plant material (humus).
- A Horizon: Topsoil, a mix of organic material and minerals, crucial for plant growth.
- E Horizon: Eluviation layer, where minerals and nutrients are leached away.
- B Horizon: Subsoil, where leached minerals and nutrients accumulate.
- C Horizon: Parent material, weathered rock and particulate matter.
- R Horizon: Bedrock, the solid rock layer beneath the soil.
Different soil types are classified based on particle size and composition:
- Clay: Small particles, high water retention, but poor drainage.
- Sandy: Coarse particles, good drainage, but poor nutrient retention.
- Silty: Intermediate size, fertile, good drainage and water retention properties.
- Loamy: A mix of clay, sand, and silt, ideal for agriculture due to balanced properties.

Physical properties: These influence how the soil behaves:
- Texture: Proportion of sand, silt, and clay, influencing water movement and nutrient holding capacity.
- Structure: Arrangement of soil particles into aggregates, affecting aeration and water infiltration.
- Density: Mass per unit volume, affecting air and water movement within the soil.
Chemical properties: These determine nutrient availability and plant growth:
- pH: Acidity or alkalinity, affects nutrient availability and plant growth.
- Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC): Ability to hold positively charged ions, determining the soil's nutrient holding capacity.
- Organic matter: Contributes to soil health, nutrient supply, and water holding capacity.
Biological properties: These relate to the living organisms in the soil:
- Microbial activity: Decomposition and nutrient cycling.
- Soil fauna: Organisms like earthworms and insects contribute to aeration, structure, and nutrient cycling.
Soil performs multiple functions:
- Supports plant growth and agriculture: Provides nutrients, water, and a stable environment for plants.
- Water filtration and storage: Regulates water flow and purifies water.
- Habitat for organisms: Provides a home and resources for a variety of organisms.
- Carbon storage and nutrient cycling: Plays a vital role in regulating the global carbon cycle.

Conservation tillage: Reduces soil disturbance, helps retain moisture and organic matter, and minimizes erosion.
Crop rotation: Alternating different types of crops to improve soil health and fertility, reduce pest and disease buildup, and enhance nutrient cycling.
Cover cropping: Planting crops that cover the soil during off-seasons to prevent erosion, improve soil health, and enhance nutrient cycling.
Contour farming: Plowing and planting along the contour lines of slopes to reduce water runoff and erosion.
Terracing: Creating steps on slopes to slow water runoff and further reduce soil loss.
Agroforestry: Integrating trees with crops and livestock to enhance biodiversity, soil stability, and nutrient cycling.

General definition: A natural resource formed from organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and organisms, that supports plant growth.
Soil in Edaphology: An ecosystem interacting with plants, animals, and human activity.
Soil in Pedology: Defined by its formation, classification, and properties observed in the field.