Soils and Hydrology: Chapter 1

What is soil?

The layers of generally loose mineral and/or organic material that are affected by physical, biological, and chemical processes

What are are functions of soils?

Plant growth medium, regulate water supply, recycle raw materials, habitat for organism

What are igneous rocks?

Igneous rocks are types of rocks formed from the cooling and solidification of molten rock material called magma or lava.

What are metamorphic rocks?

Metamorphic rocks are types of rocks that have been transformed from their original form due to high heat, high pressure, or chemical processes, without melting. Can come from sedimentary rocks from heat and pressure.

What are sedimentary rocks?

Sedimentary rocks are types of rock formed from the accumulation and cementation of sediments, which can be particles from pre-existing rocks or organic materials.

What are the components of the water cycle and the simple water balance model? What is the basic water balance equation?

• P=Precipitation

• E=Evaporation

• T=Transpiration

• Q=Discharge

• S=Water in Soil

What is stream order?

The size of the stream based on how many other streams intersect it, and it only counts perennial streams.

What is the dendritic drainage pattern?

The dendritic pattern has streams that intersect at acute angles

What is the rectangular drainage pattern?

A drainage pattern where direct major streams goes through valleys, and smaller streams runs up hillslopes

What is the trellis pattern?

Major streams cut down into the landscape and feeder streams branch out laterally

What is a watershed?

A land area within the boundaries of which all water drains to a single outlet point

What is the Piedmont landscape?

It is formed by the mountain-building by Appalachian Mountains, and the erosion down into rolling topography