Exam 4: The Terrestrial Environment

Field water is the water held between soil particles by capillary forces.

An increase in soil acidity is responsible for releasing soluble aluminum, which can be toxic to plant roots.

The soil in a particular area is arranged in layers called horizons that will vary in texture, structure, and consistency from one another.

Explain and give examples of how mechanical and chemical weathering lead to the formation of soils.

Which of the following is an incorrect description of the given soil order?

Soil particles are classified based on

Although it can be used to determine important physical and chemical properties, ________ has little effect on soil function.

Which of the following is an incorrect match between the soil-forming process and the resulting soil order?

________ are negatively charged particles in the soil that attract cations.

The ________ is a basic measure of soil quality and increases with higher clay and organic matter content.

A rock that is broken into smaller fragments as a result of freezing and thawing has experienced ________ weathering.

________ are the dominant factor that influence the vertical gradient of light in terrestrial environments.

Distinct layers in the soil that are created by localized chemical and physical processes are called ________.

In low-lying areas with poor drainage, ________ results in a black or bluish-grey soil with a high organic content.

Draw a typical soil profile. Label and describe each of the four horizons.

The ________ conditions within a region impose the primary constraints on plant and animal life.

Clay particles carry a negative charge and bind to cations in the soil solution.

List and briefly describe the five interdependent factors that are crucial to soil formation.

The ________ point is the stage at which the moisture level in soil decreases to a level at which plants can no longer extract water.

The application of Beer's law to attenuation of light in aquatic environments is more complex than in terrestrial environments.