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9 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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List all the different soil orders in use by usda soil classification system, describe each, list habitats they're found in |
Alfisols- slightly acidic, medium base saturation. Found in temperate regions Andisols- dark colored soils, very fertile, high accumulation of organic matter. Found in regions of past volcanic activity Aridisols- light color, very thin or no O or A horizon. Found in western US Entisols- very diverse group due to formation, range from high to low productivity. Found on slopes where erosion limits development of soil horizons Gelisols- permafrost in subsoil, active layer exists above frozen layer. Found in tundra Histosols- black color, lightweight with high water holding capacity. Found in wetlands Inceptisols- soil productivity varies greatly, B horizon just beginning to develope. Found in nearly every climate region Mollisols- formed from calcium rich plant roots, surface layer often granular. Found in great plains of US Oxisols- most highly weathered soils, intense leaching. Found in tropics Spodosols- light colored, low base saturation and often infertile. Found in cool and humid regions Ultisols- highly weathered soils, not as weathered as oxisols. Found in warm climates Vertisols- cracks often seen on surface, relatively little organic matter. Found in warm regions |
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List all levels of soil classification and characteristics used to assign soils into different groups |
Order- based on presence or absence of key layers to soil profile Suborder- soils classified based on soil moisture and temperature Great groups- based on presence of certain key horizons Subgroup- based on how close soil is to central concept of great group Family- units of subgroup with similar properties important to growth of plants Series- narrowest range of features, all pedons in series have very similar soil profiles |
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List primary traits used to assign soil to land capability class, list/describe all land capability classes |
Best long term use for land to protect it from erosion Class I- few if any limitations restricting use for production Class II- soils that have some reductions to agriculture production Class III- soils with severe limitations, reducing crops that may be produced or special conservation practices Class IV- soils with severe limitations that greatly restrict choices of plants Class V- soils not likely to erode, have other restrictions limiting use Class VI- soils with severe limitations to cultivation, limit use to pasture, range, woodland, or wildlife habitat Class VII- very severe limitation that makes them unsuitable for cultivation without reclamation Class VIII- soils that have no agricultural value, restricted to recreation, aesthetics, or wildlife habitat |
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List 4 land capability subclasses and describe most limiting factor of each |
Subclass e- erosion is major limiting factor Subclass w- excess water at times of year limits ability to establish or grow agricultural crops Subclass s- have characteristics which limit root zones of plants Subclass c- soils where climate is major limiting factor |
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Define and describe how soil management and woodland suitability groups are used in land management. Discuss primary difference between two groups |
Management groups- tells landowners what conservation practices should be employed in the area Woodland suitability groups- |
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List most common organisms by mass, describe beneficial actions to soil that each organism provides |
Bacteria- exude enzymes that break down simple compounds Actinomycetes- produce chemicals that stop growth of other microorganisms Fungi- act as main soil decomposer, can attack matter that resists breakdown Amoeba- Algae- combine with fungi to form lichens, which dissolve rocks and minerals Nematodes- prey on bacteria, fungi, or other organisms to regulate populations |
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List all actions or characteristics of earthworms that are of benefit to the soil |
- burrowing improves soil drainage and aeration, increases ease which plant roots can penetrate soil - releases immobilized nutrients into soil |
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Describe 2 different methods by which a site index may be determined for particular area |
Tree height- measuring and averaging total height and age of trees found on that site Soils- soil characteristics such as texture and ph, can be used to determine site index |
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List all major indicators used in the field to identify and delineate wetlands |
Hydric soils- soils that are saturated long enough during growing season to develope anaerobic conditions - the amount and behavior of water in soil is such that the surface soil is saturated enough to warrant wetland designation - identifiable wetland vegitation |
