Soil Science and Pedosphere Overview

Soil Degradation

• Soil degradation is a change in soil health that leads to diminished ecosystem capacity.
• Human activity primarily responsible for exposing soil and increased erosion is agriculture.
• 33% of agricultural soil is degraded or severely degraded.
• Increased flooding is a consequence of soil degradation, due to reduced infiltration.

Mitigating Soil Degradation

• Crop rotation helps mitigate soil degradation by introducing different crops with varying nutrient requirements, improving soil structure, and suppressing pests.

Soil Compaction

• Tilling, heavy machinery use, and overgrazing can lead to soil compaction.

Consequences of Overgrazing

• Overgrazing contributes to soil degradation by reducing vegetation cover, increasing soil erosion and compaction, and damaging soil structure.

Soil Degradation Consequences

• Soil degradation leads to reduced crop yields, increased pollution, and loss of biodiversity.

Soil Properties

• Soil texture refers to the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay particles.
• The O horizon is primarily composed of loose or partly decayed organic matter.
• Eluviation involves the leaching of materials from the upper soil layers, such as organic matter and nutrients.
• B horizon is characterized by the accumulation of clay and nutrients from above.
• Recently deposited soil material, such as from a flood, undergoes weathering and decomposition to become part of the soil profile.

Factors Affecting Soil Profiles

• Climate, parent material, topography, and organisms influence variations seen in soil profiles.
• Soil textural triangle helps determine soil texture based on the proportions of sand, silt, and clay.

C Horizon

• The C horizon is the least weathered soil horizon and is closest to the parent material.

Soil vs. Dirt

• Soil is a complex, living ecosystem, while dirt is a finer, inert substance.

Pedosphere

• The pedosphere encompasses the Earth's soil layer, its properties, and its interactions with the environment.

Positive Impacts on Soil Quality

• Sustainable agricultural practices, such as cover cropping and no-till farming, have positive effects on soil quality.

Soil Formation

• Time, climate, parent material, topography, and organisms all contribute to soil formation.

Human Waste Disposal

• Human waste disposal can impact soil through contamination with pollutants and spreading diseases.

Soil Benefits

• Soil plays an important role in filtering water, providing habitat for organisms, and sequestering carbon.

Soil Science Focus

• Soil fertility, soil structure, and soil biota are the main focus areas of soil science.

Importance of Soil Conservation

• Conserving and protecting soil is crucial for food security, environmental health, and sustainable development.

Soil Types

• Gelisols are frozen soils found in the coldest regions.
• Histosols are soils with high organic content and wet conditions.
• Aridisols are dryland soils.
• Andisols are soils formed from volcanic ash.

Soil Roles

• Soils regulate water flow and filter potential pollutants, contributing to environmental regulation.

Soil Development

• Entisols are slightly developed soils often found on steep slopes.

Tropical Climates

• Oxisols are highly weathered soils found in tropical climates.

Mineral Deposit Production

• Soils contribute to mineral deposit production through weathering and leaching processes.

Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000

• RA 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, aims to promote environmental protection, resource conservation, and waste management.
• The law emphasizes a waste management hierarchy prioritizing reduction, reuse, recycling, and disposal.
• RA 9003 mandates segregated waste collection.

Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs)

• MRFs sort and process recyclable materials.

Addressing Plastic Waste

• Composting is a practice promoting waste reduction.

Improper Waste Disposal

• Pollution of air, water, and soil is a negative impact of improper waste disposal.

Sanitary Landfills

• Sanitary landfills are preferred over dump sites due to their controlled waste containment and reduced environmental hazards.

Reducing Waste at the Source

• Reuse, recycling, and composting are recommended for reducing waste at the source.

This quiz explores the concept of the pedosphere, its significance as the Earth's soil layer, and the fundamental aspects of soil science. Participants will learn about soil formation factors, including parent material, climate, topography, and biological activity, and how these elements interact over time. Test your knowledge on the characteristics and classification of soil in this informative quiz!