Download - Soils - Geoecology
Geoecology – Option 7This unit will examine the inter-relationships, at a global scale, between soils, climates, plants and animals. It will examine the factors controlling the spatial variations in the resultant biomes
of the earth
Soils - Outcomes On completing this module you will be able to
Describe the composition of soil
Explain how soil is formed
Describe a typical soil profile
Name & describe the charactaristics of soil
Name and explain processes that affect soil
Describe the factors that affect the formation of soil
The Composition of “average” soil
The percentages vary from area to area – a desert soil will contain less water than an Irish Brown Earth soil.
Soil Characteristics Soils have many different varying factors
Colour
Texture (particle size)
Structure (indicated by shape of Peds, i.e. lumps of soil)
Humus content.
PH level of the soil
Water content/retention
Soils - Outcomes You have completed Chapter 1 – you should be able to:
Describe the composition of soil
Explain how soil is formed
Describe a typical soil profile
Name & describe the characteristics of soil
Name and explain processes that affect soil
Describe the factors that affect the formation of soil
Soil Types (Chapter 2) Learning Objectives:
Describe in detail BROWN EARTH soils of Ireland
Describe in detail LATOSOLS of Brazil
Ireland’s Soils
How can I remember all this???
No need to remember every colour – just focus on the yellow and dark red areas – these are the Brown Earth Soils
Brown Earth Soils Where are they found?____________________________
What type of vegetation is found in BES areas? _______________________________
Why is this vegetation type important? ________________________________________
What type of climate exists where BES soils are found? _______________________________
Why is this important? ___________________________________________
Tropical Latosols Where are they
found?____________________________
What type of vegetation is found in Latosol areas? _______________________________
What type of climate exists where Latosol soils are found? _______________________________
Why is this important? ___________________________________________
Processes in the formation of Latosols
First Process is ________________Second Process is _______________
Latosols are found in: _________________
Soil Types (Chapter 2) Learning Objectives:
Describe in detail BROWN EARTH soils of Ireland
Describe in detail LATOSOLS of Brazil
Soil Erosion and Conservation Learning Objectives:
Name and explain the causes of soil erosion
Name and explain how human activities can cause soil erosion
Name and explain the main methods of soil conservation