Question 1

Desertification is affecting over a billion people worldwide.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 2

Acidic soils

Accepted Answer

A) are exceptionally rare. 
B) are high in calcium,magnesium,potassium,and sodium ions. 
C) cause more rapid weathering and leaching of nutrients. 
D) tend to be very fertile and excellent for agriculture purposes. 
A) are exceptionally rare. 
B) are high in calcium,magnesium,potassium,and sodium ions. 
C) cause more rapid weathering and leaching of nutrients. 
D) tend to be very fertile and excellent for agriculture purposes. C

Question 3

What are the six main horizons found in soils? Briefly describe each.

Accepted Answer

O,A,E,B,C,and R.(Note,the text lists four ʺmasterʺ horizons,then describes the six main horizons,which other texts also call master horizons). The O horizon is high in organic matter content,derived from litter that is transformed into humus.It is 20 -30% organic matter and retains water and nutrients. The A horizon,often called topsoil,contains humus and clay particles.This horizon provides an essential chemical link between soil nutrients and plants. The E horizon is a zone of eluviation,where various materials are leached to the horizon below.It is composed mainly of coarse sand,silt,and leaching resistant minerals. The B horizon is a zone of illuviation where the translocated minerals and other matter leached from the E horizon accumulate. The C horizon is a zone of regolith,i.e.weathered bedrock and parent material.The R horizon consists of unconsolidated rock material or consolidated bedrock.

Question 4

Soils are remarkably uniform from the surface to bedrock.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Soil tends to develop profiles that are deeper on steep slopes than on level ground.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

A vertical cross section of soil extending from the surface to the deepest extent of plant root activity or to the regolith and bedrock is known as a

Accepted Answer

A) polypedon. 
B) soil profile. 
C) pedon. 
D) soil horizon. 
A) polypedon. 
B) soil profile. 
C) pedon. 
D) soil horizon.

Question 7

In terms of pedogenic regimes,soil acidification associated with forest soils in cool climates is

Accepted Answer

A) gleization. 
B) laterization 
C) salinization. 
D) podzolization. 
E) calcification. 
A) gleization. 
B) laterization 
C) salinization. 
D) podzolization. 
E) calcification.

Question 8

Mollisols are widespread in the United States because they occur throughout the Great Plains region.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Which of the following is CORRECT regarding loess deposits?

Accepted Answer

A) They are formed of fine-grained clays,silts,and fine sands. 
B) They only form following glacial activity. 
C) They are found only in the United States. 
D) They are principally composed of sands and gravels. 
A) They are formed of fine-grained clays,silts,and fine sands. 
B) They only form following glacial activity. 
C) They are found only in the United States. 
D) They are principally composed of sands and gravels.

Question 10

What are some of the concerns regarding the rate and amount of soil loss in the United States.What does a cost benefit analysis of soil loss prevention show?

Accepted Answer

Soil erosion is the breakdown,detachment

Question 11

In terms of pedogenic regimes,the leaching process in humid and warm climates is known as

Accepted Answer

A) laterization 
B) calcification. 
C) podzolization. 
D) salinization. 
E) gleization. 
A) laterization 
B) calcification. 
C) podzolization. 
D) salinization. 
E) gleization.

Question 12

Which of the following is among the most mature soils on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A) Andisols 
B) Oxisols 
C) Entisols 
D) Inceptisols 
A) Andisols 
B) Oxisols 
C) Entisols 
D) Inceptisols

Question 13

Oxygen concentrations are lower in soil than in atmospheric oxygen due to ongoing respiration processes in the ground.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Why is cation-exchange capacity (CEC)an important soil characteristic?

Accepted Answer

A) CEC is an indication of the soil permeability; the lower the CEC the higher the permeability. 
B) CEC is a measure of soil fertility; the higher the CEC the higher the soil fertility. 
C) CEC is used to infer soil texture without having to use a soil texture triangle. 
D) CEC is an indirect way to measure soil pH; it indicates whether the soil is neutral,alkaline,or acidic. 
A) CEC is an indication of the soil permeability; the lower the CEC the higher the permeability. 
B) CEC is a measure of soil fertility; the higher the CEC the higher the soil fertility. 
C) CEC is used to infer soil texture without having to use a soil texture triangle. 
D) CEC is an indirect way to measure soil pH; it indicates whether the soil is neutral,alkaline,or acidic.

Question 15

In soil science,the term to describe the cohesion of soil particles is

Accepted Answer

A) consistence. 
B) permeability. 
C) soil texture. 
D) soil structure. 
A) consistence. 
B) permeability. 
C) soil texture. 
D) soil structure.

Question 16

Soils high in clay content may swell significantly when they absorb water.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Entisols have several very distinct horizons.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

All organisms living in,on,and over the soil influence its organic content and chemical characteristics.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

A high cation-exchange capacity (CEC)tends to indicate poor soil fertility.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

There is little evidence that human activity has an impact on soils.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Desertification is affecting over a billion people worldwide.

Acidic soils

What are the six main horizons found in soils? Briefly describe each.

Soils are remarkably uniform from the surface to bedrock.

Soil tends to develop profiles that are deeper on steep slopes than on level ground.

A vertical cross section of soil extending from the surface to the deepest extent of plant root activity or to the regolith and bedrock is known as a

In terms of pedogenic regimes,soil acidification associated with forest soils in cool climates is

Mollisols are widespread in the United States because they occur throughout the Great Plains region.

Which of the following is CORRECT regarding loess deposits?

What are some of the concerns regarding the rate and amount of soil loss in the United States.What does a cost benefit analysis of soil loss prevention show?

In terms of pedogenic regimes,the leaching process in humid and warm climates is known as

Which of the following is among the most mature soils on Earth?

Oxygen concentrations are lower in soil than in atmospheric oxygen due to ongoing respiration processes in the ground.

Why is cation-exchange capacity (CEC)an important soil characteristic?

In soil science,the term to describe the cohesion of soil particles is

Soils high in clay content may swell significantly when they absorb water.

Entisols have several very distinct horizons.

All organisms living in,on,and over the soil influence its organic content and chemical characteristics.

A high cation-exchange capacity (CEC)tends to indicate poor soil fertility.

There is little evidence that human activity has an impact on soils.

The Science of Geography

The Solar System,sun,and Earth

Energy Balance Essentials

Wind Essentials

Waterʹs Unique Properties

Water on Earth

Review of Earthʹs Climate System

Population Growth and Fossil Fuel Burning the Setting for Climate Change

The Pace of Change

Earthʹs Surface Relief Features

Landmass Denudation

Drainage Basins and Drainage Patterns

Global Oceans and Seas

Snow Into Ice--The Basis of Glaciers

Energy Flows and Nutrient Cycles

Biogeographic Divisions

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Exam 15: Soil Development and Soil Profiles

Desertification is affecting over a billion people worldwide.

Acidic soils

What are the six main horizons found in soils? Briefly describe each.

Soils are remarkably uniform from the surface to bedrock.

Soil tends to develop profiles that are deeper on steep slopes than on level ground.

A vertical cross section of soil extending from the surface to the deepest extent of plant root activity or to the regolith and bedrock is known as a

In terms of pedogenic regimes,soil acidification associated with forest soils in cool climates is

Mollisols are widespread in the United States because they occur throughout the Great Plains region.

Which of the following is CORRECT regarding loess deposits?

What are some of the concerns regarding the rate and amount of soil loss in the United States.What does a cost benefit analysis of soil loss prevention show?

In terms of pedogenic regimes,the leaching process in humid and warm climates is known as

Which of the following is among the most mature soils on Earth?

Oxygen concentrations are lower in soil than in atmospheric oxygen due to ongoing respiration processes in the ground.

Why is cation-exchange capacity (CEC)an important soil characteristic?

In soil science,the term to describe the cohesion of soil particles is

Soils high in clay content may swell significantly when they absorb water.

Entisols have several very distinct horizons.

All organisms living in,on,and over the soil influence its organic content and chemical characteristics.

A high cation-exchange capacity (CEC)tends to indicate poor soil fertility.

There is little evidence that human activity has an impact on soils.

The Science of Geography

The Solar System,sun,and Earth

Energy Balance Essentials

Wind Essentials

Waterʹs Unique Properties

Water on Earth

Review of Earthʹs Climate System

Population Growth and Fossil Fuel Burning the Setting for Climate Change

The Pace of Change

Earthʹs Surface Relief Features

Landmass Denudation

Drainage Basins and Drainage Patterns

Global Oceans and Seas

Snow Into Ice--The Basis of Glaciers

Energy Flows and Nutrient Cycles

Biogeographic Divisions

Filters