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42 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What are the six factors that influence climate? |
1. Latitude 2. Ocean currents 3. Wind and air masses 4. Elevation 5. Relief 6. Nearness to water |
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Define ecozone |
A biostratigraphic zone with distinct ecological features |
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Which natural vegetation region is the largest? |
Boreal and Taiga |
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Which natural vegetation is the smallest? |
Deciduous |
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Which natural vegetation do we live in? |
Deciduous |
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How many natural vegetation regions are there in Canada? |
7 |
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Define soil formation |
Process in which rocks are broken down into progressively smaller particles and mixed with decaying organic material
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Explain soil formation |
1. Bedrock begins to disintegrate as it is subject to freezing
2. The rock breaks down into parent material which in turn breaks into smaller mineral particles.
3. Layers called horizons form
4. Soil will reach a point where it can support a thick cover of vegetation |
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What era do we live in |
Cenzoic era |
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Explain continental drift |
-Alfred wegener -stated in 1915 -continents were once together -300 million years ago -pangea -started breaking 200 million years ago -drifted into their current position -could not find anything strong enough -controversial theory |
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How many eras are there? |
4 eras |
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Define eras |
Major sub divisions of geologic time |
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Define sediments |
Eroded material such as sand and gravel that is deposited by wind, water or glacial ice |
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Define glaciation |
The state of being covered by glaciers or massive ice sheets |
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Define Canadian Shield |
Large area of Precambrian rock that forms the cone of Canada |
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Define glaciers |
Slow moving masses of ice |
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Define geoscience |
-general term -used to define a wide range of specialized scientific fields -within the broad areas of geology and resource management |
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Describe plate tectonics |
Theory that states earths outer shell consists of plates that move causing earthquakes volcanoes, mountains and the formation of new crust |
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Name the 4 eras |
1. Precambrian 2. Paleozoic 3. Mesozoic 4. Cenzoic |
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Describe the Precambrian era |
-first multi called organisms - first single cel led organisms -ancient rock -had 3 eons (4600-570) |
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Describe the Paleozoic era |
-age of amphibians and fish -first insects -large swamps - first plants and animals (570-245)
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Describe the Mesozoic era |
-age of reptiles such as dinosaurs - first flowers/ plants - first birds and mammals (245-66) |
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Describe the Cenozoic era |
- human beings develop - age of mammals -modern forms of life -ice sheets cover much of North America (66- current) |
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Define Tsunami |
A long high sea wave caused by underwater earthquakes |
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Define Pangea |
Supercontinent that included all earths land masses |
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Define convection currents |
Circular movement in a gas or liquid created by uneven heating |
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Erosion |
Wearing away of the earths surface |
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How many parts does soil consist of? |
4 main parts |
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What happens if one of the parts are missing |
If one of the parts are missing the material cannot be considered soil |
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Minerals from soil that come from rock are known as? |
Parent material |
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Minerals become part of soil by breaking down by? |
Weathering |
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Into smaller particles of? |
Sand, slit or clay |
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What happens if one of the parts are missing |
If one of the parts are missing the material cannot be considered soil |
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Which minerals are nutrients needed by plants to grow? |
Calcium, phosphorus, or potassium |
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What happens to plants and animals? |
They die |
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What happens to plants and animals after they die? |
They are decomposed by bacteria in the soil |
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What happens when bacteria breaks down in the soil? |
Nutrients are released |
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Decaying organic materials form? |
Humus which provides nutrients and moisture for plants |
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What do plants need to surround their roots? |
Air |
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Describe the typical soil profile |
A horizon - Topsoil: -rich in organic material especially near the surface -dark brown or black in colour
B horizon- Subsoil -combined layer of mineral and organic material -lighter brown in colour
C horizon- Parent material -mineral materials from which soil was made -usually glacial or bedrock deposits
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Describe the typical wet soil profile |
A horizon -thin a horizon -soluble organic materials are rapidly washed downward by excess rainfall
B horizon -tends to be light brown to greyish - most water soluble minerals are gone -only iron and aluminum compounds are left |
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Describe typical dry soil |
-very thick dark brown to black "a" horizon -dry conditions cause water to move upward through soil profile and evaporate from surface -organic materials from decay of plants remain near the surface |
