Soils I - Part 1 - Soil Functions, Threats and Definitions
Based on the Lecture "Soils 1" by Adrien Mestrot at the University of Bern (HS20)
Based on the Lecture "Soils 1" by Adrien Mestrot at the University of Bern (HS20)
Set of flashcards Details
| Flashcards | 22 |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Category | Geography |
| Level | University |
| Created / Updated | 27.01.2021 / 16.02.2021 |
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List at least 5 Soil Functions.
- Nutrient Cycling
- Habitat for Organisms
- Flood Regulation
- Source of Pharmaceuticals and Genetic Resources
- Foundation for Human Infrastructure
- Provision of Construction Materials
- Cultural Heritage
- Provision of Food, Fibre, Fuel
- Carbon Sequestration
- Water Purification and Soil Contamination Reduction
- Climate Regulation
What is the "Pedosphere"?
The "Pedosphere" is the top most part of the lithosphere. It is in touch and in exchange with the Atmosphere (Earth's Atmosphere), the Hydrosphere (soil solution, groundwater, surface waters), the Biosphere (plants, animals, microorganisms) and the Lithosphere (rocky crust of the earth).
Soils are regulatory systems. What are they're regulatory functions? They act as...
What are threats to soils? Explain by listing four threats and elaborate on each.
Land consumption: Mostly by urbanisation (space for housing, parking, leisure activities). It effects the infiltration capability which results in sealing and therefore poses an increased flood risk.
Soil compaction: Mostly through heavy machinerey in intensively cultivated areas. It results in a reduced groundwater recharge (reduced infiltration capability through compaction/ compression), an increased flood risk as well as the release of toxic gases (e.g. greenhouse gases).
Soil erosion: Caused by inappropriate soil management (e.g. compaction, fully removing vegetation, animal farming). This results in economic damage, water eutrophication and infrastructural damage.
Soil pollution: Many types of pollution affect soils.
- atmospheric pollution: can be man made (e.g. coal burning, industry, traffic) or natural (e.g. fires, volcanos). Acid Rain.
- ground or surface water pollution: e.g. arsenic and agricultural products (fertilizers, pesticides, etc), industrial products (gas, oils) and waste (sewage sludge, mining waste)
- geogenic pollution: naturally occuring toxins in bedrock, e.g. arsenic and cadmium
Pollutants are either inorganic, organic or radioactive.
Important Topic Summarizing Question
Which factors have to apply for soils to fulfill their ecological and ecnomical functions?
List four factors
- Water balance and aeration (otherwise pollution of the ground water, microorganisms, etc.)
- Rootability
- Nutrients and soil organisms in balance
- Tolerable levels of pollutants for plants and living organisms
Important Topic Summarizing Question
Regarding the soil functions, what must be taken into account and be respected by mankind?
- Soil is not reproducible (extremely slow regeneration)
- Support for structures (homes, etc.)
- Sink for pollutants (as long as they are healthy)
► Only an intact soil structure guarantess the functioning of soils.
How is soil created and what is it made of? What are the soil formation factors?
Climate, Organisms/ Biota, Relief, Parent Material/ Rocks, Time
What is the soil composed of? List the three soil phases as well as their percentage of occurence.
- Solid Phase (soil matrix of mineral phase and humus): 46% (minerals) 4% (humus)
- Liquid Phase (soil water): 25%
- Gaseous Phase (soil air): 25%
The gas and liquid phase in soils suggest that there must be pores. Which organisms live in which sized pores?
- fine pores < 0.2 µm (uninhabited)
- medium pores 0.2-10 µm (bacteria, fungi, algae, root hairs, unicellular organisms)
- coarse pores & secondary pores > 10 µm (roots, nematodes, mites, collembola and other fauna)
Which extreme processes (as in differences between the atmosphere and the soil) cause changes in soils?
Fluctuations in temperature, relative humidity and light. Soils are rather cool, humid and dark.
Which ones of the following do not classify as soils?
Define "soil".
= surface component of the earth that developed from geological materials (lithosphere/ parent material) and dead biomass (biosphere) by physical (e.g. temperature variations), chemical (e.g. atmospheric gases and liquids) and biological (e.g. organisms) processes.
What is a "sediment"?
Displaced soil without in situ soil formation.
What is "regolith"?
Weathered rock without biological influence.
What is a "pedon"?
Elementary soil unit (1-10 m2 with a depth of 0.5-2m).
What is a "polypedon"?
A company of pedons (few m2 - 1000km2).
What do soil type, soil unit and soil group (dt. Bodenart) have in common?
- same horizon sequence
- same characteristics of the horizons
- not necessarily the same bedrock
! Soil type can also refer to grain size (dt. Bodentyp).
What are "intrazonal soils"?
Differentiation within climate zones due to specific influences of relief, water balance, bedrock and age.
What are "azonal soils"?
Young soils without characteristic profile.
What is a "catena"?
Relief controlled soil sequence (typically a slope).
What is a "chronosequence"?
Soil development over time.
Name at least 5 keypoints for soil protection.
- Knowledge (soil is not dirt)
- Precautionary soil protection
- Coordinated soil monitoring and surveillance (NaBo) (need to understand the long term effects)
- Sustainable, careful use
- Remediate polluted soils to such an extent that there is no danger
- Soil = common property. Whoever uses soil is responsible for its protection
- Integrity of the soil is ensured by legal standards
- Soil protection = corporate mandate > improve institutional conditions for soil protection + financial resources
- Implement soil protection by all actors
- Important partners in soil protection: spatial planning, agriculture and forestry
