Soils Key Points

Soils learning objectives Standard of Learning
1. Describe why soil is an important, dynamic resource. ES 7
2. Describe basic soil properties and soil formation factors. ES 5,9
3. Understand soil drainage classes and know how wetlands are defined. ES9; BIO 3
4. Determine basic soil properties and limitations, such as mottling and
permeability, by observing a soil pit or profile.		 ES 1,2,3,5
5. Identify types of soil erosion and discuss methods for reducing erosion. ES 1,2; BIO 9
6. Discuss how soil is a factor in, or is impacted by nonpoint source pollution. ES 1,2; BIO 9
7. Derive information from a soil survey and explain the interaction between
soil type and plant communities (species composition, successional
patterns) as well as suitability for various land use practices. 		ES 1,2 3
LS 12
BIO 7
8. Explain the diagnostic significance of soil color. Be able to describe how
soil color is measured and what processes produce different colors.		 CH 3,4
ES 5
9. Describe the factors which influence soil texture and structure and be
able to explain how these properties influence a soils permeability,
ability to retain water and nutrients and tendency to erode. Explain how
this further influences the hydrologic and nutrient cycles in an ecosystem.		 CH 3,4
ES 5,7
BIO 3
10. Discuss the effects of various land uses on soils and the long term
consequences to productivity and ecosystem function.		 LS 12
ES 1,2,3,5,7
BIO9

Soils Sample Questions

1. Soil scientists classify soil particles in the categories of ______, ______, and _____.

2. Sediment from erosion can be reduced by

a) planting grass and trees
b) digging ditches
c) mulching areas
d) a and c
e) all of the above

3. Available water capacity refers to the quantity of water that the soil is capable of storing for use by plants. One of the most important soil properties that affect the available water capacity is:

a. the amount of rainfall the soil receives
b. the flooding frequency of the soil
c. the type of bedrock
d. the soil texture (the percentage of sand, silt and clay in soil)

4. Crops grown in rotations to maintain or improve soil productivity and fertility is called

a. contour farming
b. conservation tillage
c. crop rotation
d. none of the above

5. The two factors that help break down organic matter to create soil are ____ and _____.

Answers

1. Soil scientists classify soil particles in the categories of sand, silt, and clay.

2. Sediment from erosion can be reduced by planting grass and trees and mulching areas

3. Available water capacity refers to the quantity of water that the soil is capable of storing for use by plants. One of the most important soil properties that affect the available water capacity is the soil texture (the percentage of sand, silt and clay in soil).

4. Crops grown in rotations to maintain or improve soil productivity and fertility is called crop rotation.

5. The two factors that help break down organic matter to create soil are bacteria and fungi.

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