Unit 1 Geography Study Sheet: Soil, Natural Hazards, and Vegetation

Vocabulary flashcards covering Canadian soil quality, factors connecting land and climate to natural hazards, and key forestry terms from the Unit 1 Geography study notes.

High Quality Soil

Thick, nutrient-rich topsoil located in Southern Canada, created by warm climates and long growing seasons.

Poor Quality Soil

Thin, acidic, or frozen soil found in Northern Canada and the Canadian Shield, caused by cold climates and permafrost that limit organic decay.

Landforms (Hazard Connection)

Physical features that dictate the steepness of slopes in relation to natural hazards.

Climate (Hazard Connection)

The atmospheric factor that contributes to natural hazards by bringing heavy rainfall or melting snow.

Soil (Hazard Connection)

Material that absorbs water until it becomes heavy and saturated, increasing susceptibility to hazards.

Vegetation (Hazard Connection)

Plant life whose roots act as an anchor to keep soil in place.

Landslide (Example Scenario)

A collapse that occurs when a steep mountain slope with loose, wet soil loses its tree roots to a wildfire and undergoes a heavy rainstorm.

Deciduous

Trees that drop their leaves in autumn.

Coniferous

Cone-bearing trees with needles; evergreen trees.

Humus

Organic material in soil formed by decayed plant matter that is crucial for plant growth.