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15 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is soil made of, and how does it form ?
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Soil is a mixture of rock particles, minerals, decayed organic materials, water, and air. Soil forms as rock is broken down by weathering and mixes with other materials on the surface. Soil is constantly being formed whenever bedrock is exposed.
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How do scientists classify soils ?
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Scientists classify the different types of soil into major groups based on climate, plants, soil composition, and whether the soil is acidic or basic.
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What is the role of plants and animals in soil formation ?
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Some soil organisms make humus, the material that makes soil fertile. Other soil organisms mix the soil and make spaces in it for air and water.
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What is soil ?
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Soil is the loose, weathered material on Earth's surface in which plants can grow.
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What is bedrock ?
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Bedrock is the solid layer of rock beneath the soil.
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What is humus ?
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Humus is a dark-colored substance that forms as plant and animal remains decay.
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What is fertility ?
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Fertility is a measure of how well the soil supports plant growth.
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What is loam ?
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Loam is soil that is made up of about equal parts of clay, sand, and silt.
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What is a soil horizon ?
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A soil horizon is a layer of soil that differs in color and texutre from the layers above or below it.
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What is topsoil ?
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Topsoil is a crumbly, dark brown soil that is a mixture of humus, clay, and other minerals.
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What is subsoil ?
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Subsoil usually consists of clay and other particles washed down from the A horizon, but little humus.
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What is acidic ?
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Acidic is if it reacts strongly with some metals and changes blue litmus paper red.
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What is basic ?
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Basic is if it feels slippery and changes red litmus paper blue.
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What is litter ?
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Litter is when plants shed leaves to form a loose layer.
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What are decomposers ?
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Decomposers are the organisms that break the remains of dead organisms into smaller pieces and digest them with chemicals.
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