soil, agriculture, meat, and fish enviro study guide

Bedrock

Solid rock composing the Earth’s crust.

Leaching

Removal of minerals by water; E horizon is the most ____.

Hydroponics

Growing plants without soil.

Weathering

Processes that form soil.

Physical/Mechanical Weathering

Formed by wind and rain.

Chemical Weathering

Soil is chemically altered.

Biological Weathering

Organisms produce soil through physical or chemical means.

Contour Plowing

Plowing perpendicular to a slope to trap water and prevent it from flowing downhill.

Aquaponics

A food production system combining aquaculture with hydroponics.

Erosion

Gradually wearing away or degradation of the soil.

Strip Cropping

Crops that allow water through and some that do not.

Eutrophication

Environment enrichment with nutrients, increasing plant and algae growth.

Humus

Organic content in soil, residue from partially decomposed plants and animals.

Composting

The process of recycling organic matter to enrich soil.

Irrigation

Controlled application of water to land to grow crops.

Salinization

Increased salinity due to irrigation.

No-Till Agriculture

Farming method that minimizes soil disturbance by not tilling the fields.

Terracing

Making a hill into literal steps to prevent water flow down.

Desertification

A loss of more than 10% productivity.

Crop Rotation

Alternating crops with legumes to naturally replace nitrogen and phosphorus.

Loam

A soil mixture of clay, silt, and sand.

Compaction

Collapse of air spaces in the soil.

Bycatch

Unintentional catch of non-target fish.

Gill Net

A fishing net used in shallow water that catches fish when they swim into it.

Aquaculture

Farming of aquatic organisms for food and other purposes.

Cage Free

Indoor rearing of animals without cages.

Pasture Raised

Animals that have spent part of their life on pasture.

purse seine

Large wall of netting deployed around fish that is pursed around bottom

Used to catch schooling fish (ex. tuna)

Low rate of bycatch compared to other commercial fishing methods

High yields of fish

bottom trawl

Fishing practice involving a large net on the seafloor to catch fish

Up to 90% bycatch

Damages habitats

Catches range from fish to shrimp and crabs

longline

Involves one main long line that can extend several miles with smaller hooks attached 

23% of global catch

Risks bycatch and habitat damage

Target fish include tuna and swordfish

soil horizons

OAEBC layers of soil

O layer

organic matter - Leaf litter, partially decomposed organisms

A layer

Topsoil - mineral particles mixed with organic material

E layer

(LEACHED) eluviation - depleted of soluble materials

B layer

(Subsoil) Often dense texture from accumulation of nutrients.

C layer

(Parent material) Weathered rock fragments with little organic material