GEOG 1200 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Genetically Modified Food, Hydrosphere, Food Security
12 Apr 2015
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Document Summary
Soil: a complex plant-supporting system that consists of disintegrated rock, organic matter, water, gases, nutrients, and microorganisms. Fundamental to the support of life and the provision of food for the growing population. Is renewable as a resource, if managed carefully: mineral particles in soil mostly inherited from the parent material (the base geological material in a given location, from which the soil is formed, composed of living and nonliving components. Formation of soil: begins when parent material is exposed to effects: atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Five factors that influence soil formation: climate, organisms, topography, parent material, time. Layers of soil: each layer of soil is known as a horizon. Soil profile is from surface to bedrock: leaching, a process in which materials dissolved in liquid are transported through the subsurface. 1st layer (o horizon) surface deposits of leaves, branches, moss, animal waste, etc.
