Wk6: Cultivated Earth and Soil Security

Practice vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture on soil geography, classification, and soil security dimensions.

Pedon

A 3-D structure described by a collection of attributes and properties aggregated into horizons, forming the basic unit of soil classification.

Soil Indicators

Selected soil properties used to evaluate the performance of a soil.

Inherent Indicators

Soil properties used to evaluate performance that are relatively stable, such as profile depth, texture, clay type, and stoniness.

Manageable Indicators

Soil properties used to evaluate performance that can be modified, including pH, organic matter, bulk density, and available nutrients.

Anthrosolization

A pedological process categorized as an addition to the soil system: the long-term, human-induced modification of soils driven by continuous agricultural or settlement activities. In soil science, this primarily involves the physical and chemical addition of external materials

Melanization

A soil transformation process involving organic matter deposition and the formation of dark-colored horizons.

Bioturbation

A soil translocation process involving the biological reworking of soils and sediments.

Podzolization

A soil loss process involving base cation leaching.

Dystrophic

A term indicating a low base status in the major part of the B2 horizon, specifically mentioned in the description of Red Ferrosols.

Humose

A term describing an A1 horizon that is moderately organic.

Grey Vertosol

A soil type listed under the Australian Soil Classification often used for dryland wheat and irrigated cotton production.

Red Ferrosol

A deep, strongly structured soil with a low base status and a strongly acidic B2 horizon, occurring in areas with high rainfall and basic igneous rocks.

Krasnozems

An alternative name used to describe the soil type known as Red Ferrosol.

Capability

The dimension of soil security that determines what a soil can do, defined as Capacity plus Condition.

Condition

The dimension of soil security referring to manageable soil properties, answering the question of whether the soil can continue to perform its functions.

Capital

The dimension of soil security representing the value of soil assets, ecosystem services, and management programs.

Connectivity

The dimension of soil security involving society's awareness, attitude, and moral obligation to protect and conserve soil.

Codification

The dimension of soil security involving the development of regulations, policies, and incentives to secure and protect soil.

Permanent Wilting Point ($PWP$)

The soil water potential threshold identified as $-1500\,kPa$.

Field Capacity ($FC$)

The soil water potential threshold identified as $-10\,kPa$.