Ricks P.

Ortiz
Principles of Soil Science – DEde

Study guide:
1. The upper-most horizon of a soil is generally enriched with
organic matter, in varying states of decomposition. Where does
most of this organic matter come from?
- TOPSOIL. The topsoil, also known as the A horizon, is usually the
darkest layer of the soil because it contains the most organic
material. The topsoil is the hub of biological activity, with insects,
worms, and other animals burrowing into it and plants extending
their roots deep into it. Plant roots aid in the retention of this
layer of soil. Minerals in the topsoil may dissolve in the fresh
water that circulates through it, allowing them to be delivered to
the bottom layers of the soil. As water seeps down into the earth,
very minute particles, such as clay, may be transferred to lower
levels.

2. Why soil is important?

- Plant development, human nourishment, and water filtration all
depend on healthy soils. Soil aids in climate regulation and stores
more carbon than all the world's forests put together. Our survival
depends on the health of our soils. Soil is essential to the Earth's
environment. Human life would be extremely difficult without
dirt. Soil gives plants a place to plant their roots and contains the
nutrients they need to flourish. It filters rainwater and manages
excess rainwater release, preventing flooding.

3. What is the difference between “a soil” and “the soil”?

- When you say soil, you're referring to the dirt or cover-up
stuff in your garden, however when you say the soil, you're
 referring to the scientific meaning of the soil and its purpose.
When used in this context, the term "soil" has a broader meaning
than "soil."

4. If you were to choose among the fields of specialization in soil

science, what is it and why?
- I will choose Soil Chemistry, because the chemistry of the
soil is also very important property as this will determine what
will grow and how well it will grow. One of the most important
chemical properties of a soil is its acidity or alkalinity, often stated
as the pH of the soil.

5. Why is soil a nonrenewable resource?

- Soil is a nonrenewable resource, which means that it
cannot be replaced within a human lifetime because an inch of
topsoil can take 500 years or more to create. Plant roots are the
most convenient food supply for soil bacteria, who are working
hard under the surface to promote soil health.

6. Explain the difference between the term’s “property” and

“process,” and give specific examples in support of your argument.
- Soil attributes are characteristics of a soil, such as texture
and depth. Soil processes are a set of movements in the soil that
produce a result, such as water seeping into the soil, which
determines the amount of water in the soil. We can estimate soil
processes using data on a set of soil properties and other factors,
such as rainfall levels, thanks to measured correlations between
soil properties and soil processes. For example, we can predict the
rate at which water will percolate into a soil profile if we have
data on soil properties such as texture, soil structure, bulk density,
and organic matter.

7. Can soil science stand without crop science?

 - No. The Crop and Soil Science sequence emphasizes
the scientific aspects of agronomy including improving plant
production, quality, and profit by utilizing plant.

8. Elaborate further the definition of soil: a) what is meant by

dynamic, b) natural body, c) living?
- a. Soil Dynamics is the engineering field that deals with the
response of soils subjected to time-dependent (dynamic) loads.
Common soil dynamics topics include the determination of
dynamic earth pressures, the analysis and design of foundations
under dynamic loads and dynamic soil-structure interaction
problems.
- b. Soil is a natural body comprised of solids (minerals and
organic matter), liquid, and gases that occurs on the land surface,
occupies space, and is characterized by one or both of the
following: horizons, or layers, that are distinguishable from the
initial material as a result of additions, losses, transfers.
- c. Living organisms present in soil include archaea,
bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, algae, protozoa, and a wide variety
of larger soil fauna including springtails.

9. What is the importance of compositions of soil?

- Soil is one of the most significant components of an
ecosystem, containing both biotic and abiotic constituents. Abiotic
factor composition is particularly important since it can influence
biotic factors such as the types of plants that can flourish in an
ecosystem.

10. Explain the typical composition of soil shown below (Fig. 1).
- Soil includes 40-45 percent inorganic matter, 5% organic
matter, 25% water, and 25% air. The right combination of air,
water, minerals, and organic matter is essential for plant life to
thrive. Microorganisms and decaying plants make up humus, the
organic stuff in soil.