Soil formation SAQ's Q & A.docx

What is the process of chemical breaking down of rocks? ANSWER: Weathering What is the parent material of peat? ANSWER: Remains of dead plants and animals Which type of rock is formed from the cooling of magma below ground? ANSWER: granite What is the name of the type of soil formed in bogs?...

What is the process of chemical breaking down of rocks? ANSWER: Weathering What is the parent material of peat? ANSWER: Remains of dead plants and animals Which type of rock is formed from the cooling of magma below ground? ANSWER: granite What is the name of the type of soil formed in bogs? ANSWER: Peat What is the process by which sedimentary rocks are formed? ANSWER: erosion and deposition What is the result of freeze-thaw action on rocks? ANSWER: Physical breakdown of rocks What is the name of the metamorphic rock formed from limestone? ANSWER: Marble What is the primary mineral composition of limestone? ANSWER: calcium carbonate What is the name of the igneous rock that is commonly found in areas of volcanic activity? ANSWER: Basalt What is the name of the sedimentary rock formed from sand-sized grains? ANSWER: Sandstone What is the name of the metamorphic rock formed from shale? ANSWER: Slate What are the three main characteristics that are used to describe soil? ANSWER: Soil texture, pH, and drainage are the three main characteristics used to describe soil. What is the main difference between young soil and old soil in terms of fertility? ANSWER: Young soil gets its fertility from rock minerals and organic matter, while old soil gets its fertility mainly from organic matter. What is the role of forests in terms of soil nutrient holding capacity? ANSWER: Forests have a high nutrient holding capacity due to the ability of trees to hold nutrients in the soil. What is the main factor that affects soil formation in terms of topography? ANSWER: Topography, as shown in the diagram, affects soil formation through soil erosion. How does the availability of parent material affect soil formation? ANSWER: Young soil has high levels of parent material available for soil formation, while old soil has limited availability of parent material. What is the main difference between grassland and forest ecosystems in terms of soil characteristics? ANSWER: Grasslands have a lower nutrient holding capacity compared to forests, which have a higher capacity. What is the effect of soil erosion on soil fertility? ANSWER: Soil erosion reduces soil fertility by removing the top layer of soil, which is rich in nutrients and organic matter.