Guided Notes about Soils

1
Guided Notes about Soils

• Section 7.3

2
Soil Is

• The loose covering of broken rock particles and
  decaying organic matter overlying bedrock.
• Found almost everywhere on Earth
• The result of chemical and mechanical weathering
  and biological activity over long periods of time.

3
Residual Soil

• Residual soil is soil located above its parent
  material. An example is Kentuckys bluegrass
  soil.

4
Transported Soil

• Transported soil has been moved to a location
  away from its parent material. Agents of
  erosion, such as wind, water, and glaciers can
  move soil from its place of origin to new
  locations.

5
Soil Formation

• In general, the process of soil formation occurs
  over a long period of time it can take 100 years
  to form one centimeter of soil.

6
Slopes

• Soils on slopes tend to be thin, coarse, and
  infertile, but soils formed in valleys are thick
  and rich. South-facing slopes have thicker soils
  due to increased vegetation.

7
Climate

• Soils appearance, rate of formation, and
  productivity are determined to a great extent by
  climate.

8
Soil Color

• A soils composition and the climate in which it
  develops are the main factors that determine a
  soils color.