Soil Science Basics
48 Questions
2 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of soil?

  • Filtering water
  • Supporting human activity
  • Food production
  • All of the above (correct)

    • Soil only consists of inorganic materials with no organic matter.

    False

    What is the O-Horizon in soil terminology?

    The organic material overlying the soil

    The process of soil formation begins with the breaking down of _______.

    <p>bedrock</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the soil horizons with their descriptions:

    <p>O-Horizon = Organic material layer A-Horizon = Top layer of soil B-Horizon = Middle layer C-Horizon = Lowest layer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors does NOT affect soil variation?

    <p>Human population density</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Soil is a static system that does not change over time.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are inputs to the soil system?

    <p>Water, gases, nutrients, and organic matter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the average annual rate of agricultural land loss from 1986 to 2001?

    <p>80 ha</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Urbanization accelerates the growth of summer residency areas.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are two factors contributing to land degradation in the Maltese islands?

    <p>Urbanization, agricultural intensification</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During the past 30 years, __________ ha of agricultural land has been lost to development.

    <p>4,500</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the factors with the associated activities:

    <p>Urbanization = Summer residencies expansion Field abandonment = Parking areas taking up land Fragmentation of land = Accelerated growth of holdings Pollution = Shooting activities disrupt environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factors influence soil formation?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the impacts of using saline treated sewage effluent on soil?

    <p>Increases soil salinity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Maltese soils are generally rich in organic matter.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Part-time farming has no effect on the availability of agricultural land.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name one area where squatter towns have occupied agricultural land.

    <p>St. Thomas Bay</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the main components of soil?

    <p>Water, air, organic matter, organisms, and mineral particles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Maltese soils can be described as slightly to moderately _______.

    <p>alkaline</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant source of soil contamination in Malta?

    <p>Agricultural chemicals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following Maltese soil types with their characteristics:

    <p>Blue Clay = Difficult to work with due to high clay content Marshland = Semi-natural landscape with wet conditions Garrigue = Type of vegetation cover in Malta Terraced land = Rural landscape with human influence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Dead organic matter in the soil contributes to nutrient cycling.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major challenge facing Maltese soils?

    <p>Shallow depth and low levels of organic matter.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary motive for excessive clearance of forests and woodlands?

    <p>To create agricultural and pastoral land</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Salinisation occurs when there are excessive concentrations of nutrients in the soil.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name one method of soil erosion caused by moving water.

    <p>Sheet erosion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Sustainable agriculture rejects the __________ approach to food production.

    <p>industrial</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the type of erosion with its description:

    <p>Sheet erosion = Surface water moves and peels off soil layers Rill erosion = Fast-flowing rivulets cut small channels in soil Gully erosion = Wider and deeper channels formed by joined rivulets Salinisation = Excessive salts in irrigated soils</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following practices is NOT associated with sustainable agriculture?

    <p>Monoculture</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Chemical pesticides are beneficial for long-term soil health.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one key principle of sustainable agriculture?

    <p>Minimize tilling</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary cause of desertification?

    <p>Human activities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Soil erosion can occur naturally through wind and water, but never due to human activities.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What event in the 1930s is known for its large-scale wind erosion of soils?

    <p>Dust Bowl</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Desertification primarily affects __________ regions.

    <p>dryland</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following concepts with their definitions:

    <p>Overgrazing = Too much livestock in one area leading to soil erosion Overcultivation = Excessive farming leading to nutrient loss Desertification = Land degradation in drylands Soil erosion = Loss of soil by wind and water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is not a factor leading to desertification?

    <p>Excessive rainfall</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Soil can be considered a renewable resource because it is formed continuously over time.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What organization was established in 1977 to combat desertification globally?

    <p>UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one claim critics make against sustainable agriculture?

    <p>It results in lower crop yields</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Conservation tillage practices involve disturbing the soil as much as possible.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of contour ploughing?

    <p>To follow the contour lines of the slope and slow water runoff.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Terracing reduces soil erosion by converting steep slopes into a series of __________.

    <p>broad, nearly level terraces</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the conservation method with its description:

    <p>Conservation Tillage = Disturbs soil minimally Contour Ploughing = Ploughing across slope contours Crop Residue Cover = Retains runoff water Terracing = Series of level terraces on slopes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a benefit of crop residue cover?

    <p>Increases crop yields</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Recent evidence suggests sustainably farmed lands can be as productive as conventional farms over time.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one effect of using a mulch tiller?

    <p>It can reduce soil loss by up to 40%.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Soil

    • Soil is a thin layer covering most land areas
    • It is essential for human existence, providing food production, water storage, and support for biodiversity
    • Soil formation involves weathering, organic matter incorporation, interaction with the environment, and development of a distinct structure (soil horizons)
    • Soil is composed of air, water, minerals, organic matter, and organisms
    • Soil's composition varies based on climate, rock type, topography, and soil-forming processes
    • The process begins with bedrock breakdown forming regolith, the loose material overlying rock
    • Soil profiles are vertical cross-sections showing different layers (horizons)

    Soil Horizons

    • O-horizon: organic material on top
    • A-horizon: topsoil, top layer of soil
    • B-horizon: subsoil, middle layer
    • C-horizon: loose material, lowest layer
    • R/D-horizon: unweathered parent rock

    Soil System

    • Materials and energy are gained and lost, cycling through inputs, outputs, stores, processes, and recycling
    • Inputs: water, precipitation, gases, nutrients from decaying matter, respiration of soil organisms
    • Outputs: nutrients taken up by plants, water loss, erosion of soil particles
    • Soil components: water, air, organic matter, organisms, and mineral particles, in varying percentages

    Factors Influencing Soil Formation

    • Parent material (rock type)
    • Climate
    • Living organisms (plant cover)
    • Human influence
    • Topography
    • Length of time the soil has been forming

    Soil of the Maltese Islands

    • Maltese soils are fertile despite geographical and climatic limitations
    • Soil contamination arises from various sources such as quarries, factories, and waste dumps
    • Diverse soil types exist, from bare sea cliffs to agricultural areas with terracing, reflecting varying landscapes
    • Soils often have a high clay content (over 48%), impacting workability but also nutrient retention and water filtration
    • Land degradation from development activities has reduced agricultural land over the past 30 years

    Soil Erosion

    • Natural erosion (wind and water) and human activities cause soil erosion, impacting soil fertility
    • Desertification is land degradation resulting from adverse human impacts
    • Overgrazing leads to vegetation loss and soil erosion
    • Overcultivation depletes nutrients and causes erosion
    • Soil erosion can take forms like sheet erosion (when surface water moves across a slope or a field and removes layers of soil), rill erosion (the surface water forms small channels), and gully erosion (larger channels)
    • Salinisation- excessive concentrations of salts in irrigated soil, affects yields and can kill plants

    Soil Conservation

    • Sustainable agriculture prioritizes ecological processes that mimic nature rather than industrial methods
    • Soil conservation is about reducing erosion, preventing loss of fertility, and restoring land
    • Conservation tillage practices involve minimizing soil disturbance, protecting the soil surface, and using crop rotations, to preserve soil health and prevent erosion.
    • Contour ploughing, terracing, wind erosion control, strip cropping, and crop rotation are conservation techniques used for soil protection and management

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Soil PDF

    Description

    Test your knowledge of soil science with this concise quiz. Explore topics such as soil horizons, factors affecting soil variation, and land degradation. Perfect for students of environmental science or agriculture.

    More Like This

    Soil Classification and Taxonomy
    10 questions

    Soil Classification and Taxonomy

    AbundantSelenite avatar
    AbundantSelenite
    Soil Survey and Classification Quiz
    15 questions

    Soil Survey Sampling Unit Quiz: Learn the Basics

    AbundantSelenite avatar
    AbundantSelenite
    Land and Soil Analysis Quiz
    41 questions

    Land and Soil Analysis Quiz

    MesmerizingMothman avatar
    MesmerizingMothman
    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser