ENVI*320 Performance 1 Review - Physical Geography and Science Principles

Vocabulary flashcards covering core scientific concepts, systems theory, physical geography principles, Earth structure, and soil chemistry and horizons based on ENVI*320 lecture notes.

What is science and how does it work?

a structured process to learn about the universe by making observations, wondering (forming hypotheses), and exploring

Epistemological Assumptions of Science

(1) the universe behaves (2) we can measure that behavior (3) limited to the natural world (4) tentative and possible temporary (5) cumulative over time

Inductive reasoning

reasoning that starts with specific observations and draws a general conclusion that is probable but not certain

Deductive reasoning

reasoning that starts with a general principle or premise and applies it to a specific case to reach a logically certain conclusion

Hypothesis

a possible explanation based on assumed relations between two or more components of the natural world

Null hypothesis

a hypothesis stating that the effect will elicit no change

Laws

inductive statements that are not breakable

Theories

widely tested explanations tested across a wide-ranging set of phenomena

Controlled experiment

an experiment with known and unchanging parameters

Systems

sets of interacting, interdependent components functioning as a definable unit to maintain themselves over time

Feedback loops

the influences that a part of a system has on itself

Open systems

systems that are subject to influences from their surrounding environment

Closed systems

systems that are not subject to influences from their surrounding environment

Stability

the ability of a system to tolerate disturbance and remain in equilibrium

Positive feedback loops

feedback loops that are amplifying or destabilizing and increase the original stimulus.

Negative feedback loops

feedback loops that are dampening or stabilizing and decrease the original stimulus

Systems perspective

a holistic approach studying complex systems by analyzing interactions, context, and emerging behaviors

Physical geography

the scientific study of patterns, processes, and implications of Earth's physical systems and components

Latitude

lines extending east and west on Earth's grid system (parallels), where the maximum circumference exists at the equator

Longitude

lines extending north and south on Earth's grid system (meridians), determining location based on the prime meridian and intersecting at the poles

Coordinate systems

systems using numbers to determine and standardize the position of points or other geometric elements

Projections

representations of the 3-D Earth on a 2-D surface

Earth Layers

inner core, outer core, inner mantle, outer mantle, lithosphere

Atmosphere Layers

troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere

Soil

the uppermost layer of the Earth's surface containing inorganic material, organic matter, air, and water

Munsell color chart

a tool used to measure soil color, which serves as an indicator for the composition of organic matter

Soil texture

a physical soil characteristic determined by the relative proportion of sand, silt, and clay-sized inorganic particles

Soil structure

the way soil aggregates clump together to form distinct physical characteristics, categorized as granular, blocky, plates, or columnar

Hygroscopic water

water that adheres tightly to negatively charged soil particles forming a thin layer that is not available to plants

gravitational water

free water that drains through the soil profile

Capillary water

water held in large pores that composes the soil solution

field capacity

the amount of water remaining in the soil after the soil is completely drained of gravitational water

wilting point

the threshold amount of water in soil below which plants can no longer transpire water

Relevance of Soil Texture

provides a rough measure of how well water flows through a soil or how appropriate a soil is for agriculture

Water leaves the Soil Profile by…

absorption into roots, capillary action to the soil surface, subsurface flow to a stream channel, or percolation into groundwater

What determines soil pH and why is it important?

pH is determined by a complex set of chemical reactions that occur within the soil solution and is an important indicator of soil fertility

Colloids

negatively charged, chemically active soil particles with a high water-holding capacity that hold and exchange cations

Horizontation

After the deposition of parent material, the first horizon that would become visible is the A horizon. As the A horizon continues to form, translocations and transformations (downward) would also be occurring; the cumulative result of these processes is the development of the B horizon. As plants, microbes, and animals continue to interact with the soil, a complex set of horizons would eventually form.

Eluviation

the outward washing or leaching of fine soil particles (clay, organic matter, minerals) from upper soil layers (A horizon) by percolating water.

Illuviation

the accumulation or deposition of fine soil particles (clay, organic matter, minerals) in lower soil layers (B horizon) after being leached from upper layers

O Horizon

the uppermost soil horizon consisting of undecomposed plant litter

A Horizon

the soil horizon enriched with humus; the first horizon visible after deposition of parent material

E Horizon

the soil horizon that is progressively depleted of minerals through dissolution and translocation

B Horizon

the soil horizon formed below the E horizon where translocated minerals recrystallize

C Horizon

the horizon consisting of unaltered soil parent material

Soil order

one of 12 distinct soil types differentiated at the most general level

Mollisols

the soil order dominating Illinois, formed in association with calcification and grass nutrient cycling, featuring an A horizon with high humus and a B horizon with 50% base ions

County soil survey

a report discussing the character and geographic distribution of soil in a county, developed after the 1930s dust bowl by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA)