ENST200 Exam 2 Review: Chapters 5-8

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Chapters 5-8 of the ENST200 lecture notes.

Soil Water Potential

Describes the energy status of soil water, influenced by gravitational, osmotic, and matric potentials.

Cohesion

Attraction of water molecules to each other due to their polar structure.

Capillary Movement

Movement of water in soil due to the attraction of water to soil solids, allowing it to hold against gravity.

Evapotranspiration (ET)

Combined loss of water from soil by evaporation and transpiration from plants.

Redox Potential

Indicates the tendency of soil to accept or donate electrons, influencing the availability of essential elements.

Hydric Soils

Soils that are saturated long enough to create anaerobic conditions, indicating wetland characteristics.

Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)

A measure of how well soil can retain and supply cations to plant roots, primarily influenced by soil colloids and pH.

Wilt Point

The moisture potential at which plants cannot extract water, typically around -1500 kPa.

Anaerobic Conditions

Soil conditions where oxygen is deficient, affecting soil organisms and chemical reactions.

Saturated Flow

Type of water movement in soil that occurs when all soil pores are filled with water, typically after heavy rain.

Soil Texture

The composition of soil based on the size of its particles (e.g., clay, silt, sand), which affects water retention.

Hydrophytic Vegetation

Plants adapted to grow in wetland conditions, indicating the presence of wetlands.

Evaporation

Loss of water from soil surface to the atmosphere, influenced by temperature and soil management.

Matrix Potential

Water potential related to the forces of attraction between water and soil solids.

Organic Residues

Plant materials left on soil surface that help manage soil temperatures by insulating the soil.