Soil and Ecosystems

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to soil, its properties, and its significance within ecosystems.

Soil

The upper layer of earth in which plants grow, consisting of organic remains, clay, and rock particles.

Alluvial Fan

An all-in shaped mass of alluvium deposited as the flow of a river decreases in velocity.

Soil Ecosystem

An ecosystem where soil life contributes to its composition and structure, impacting wildlife.

Available Water Capacity

Maximum amount of plant-available water a soil can hold.

Backfilling

Refilling trenches or holes with soil to promote stability and manage drainage.

Burrowing

Digging into the soil to build a shelter for animals.

Bushel

A measurement of dry goods equal to 64 pints or 8 gallons.

Compaction

A process that creates a platy texture in soil.

Cover Crops

Crops used to manage soil erosion.

Delta

A plane of land formed at the edge of water by sediment settling.

Erosion

The movement of sediment from one place to another.

Field Capacity

The point at which soil is saturated and can no longer hold water.

Flood Plain

Low-lying flat land next to a body of water that periodically overflows.

Hydric Soil

Poorly drained soils with low oxygen due to saturation.

Leaching

The process by which water dissolves and transports nutrients deeper into the soil.

Organic Matter

Dead and decaying plant and animal remains usually found in soil.

Parent Material

The rock and deepest layer of soil from which upper layers form.

Permeability

A property that influences how easily water moves through soil.

Soil Texture Triangle

A tool used to determine soil texture based on sand, silt, and clay percentages.

Silt

Soil particles ranging from .002 to .05 mm, known for being highly erosive.

Mottling

Secondary soil colors not associated with compositional properties.

Nutrient Cycle

The cycle of nutrient movement and transformation within soil and ecosystems.

Mitigation

Actions taken to reduce the severity or impact of an environmental issue, such as soil erosion or pollution.

Colluvium

Soil and sediment that accumulate at the base of a slope, transported by gravity.

Eolian Soil

Soils formed primarily by the deposition of wind-blown silt and sand.