Earth and Space Science Soil Soil 1 is

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Earth and Space Science Soil

Earth and Space Science Soil

Soil 1. ________ is a mixture of bits of rock and once living parts

Soil 1. ________ is a mixture of bits of rock and once living parts of plants and animals. Soil covers most of Earth’s landmasses. Without soil, plants and animals wouldn’t be able to live on land.

weathering 2. The formation of soil starts with the ______ of rock.

weathering 2. The formation of soil starts with the ______ of rock.

layers, soil horizons 3. Soil forms in _______ that are called _______________.

layers, soil horizons 3. Soil forms in _______ that are called _______________.

humus, decayed 4. The A horizon, which holds the most nutrients, contains ________ which

humus, decayed 4. The A horizon, which holds the most nutrients, contains ________ which is made up of __________ organic materials.

topsoil 5. The A horizon is also known as _________. Most plant roots grow

topsoil 5. The A horizon is also known as _________. Most plant roots grow in this soil. The roots absorb nutrients and water from the humus.

subsoil 6. The B horizon is called the _________. You will find less humus

subsoil 6. The B horizon is called the _________. You will find less humus in subsoil and lots of fine particles of rock, such as particles that make up clay.

large, bedrock 7. Next is the C horizon, which is mostly made of _________

large, bedrock 7. Next is the C horizon, which is mostly made of _________ pieces of weathered rock. All of these soil horizons rest on soild, unweathered ________.

forest, desert 8. Soils in different places have different properties. Each type of soil

forest, desert 8. Soils in different places have different properties. Each type of soil supports different plant and animal life. Most of the United States is covered by three types of soil: ________ soil, and grassland prairie soil.

thin layer, little humus 9. Forest soil has a _____________________ of topsoil with ______________.

thin layer, little humus 9. Forest soil has a _____________________ of topsoil with ______________. Frequent rainfall carries minerals deep into the ground, so plants with shallow roots do not grow well in forests.

sandy 10. Desert soil is _____ and does not hold much humus. Because deserts

sandy 10. Desert soil is _____ and does not hold much humus. Because deserts receive little rain, plants have special adaptations to grow there.

nutrients 11. Grasslands and prairies have soil rich with humus, which provides __________ for

nutrients 11. Grasslands and prairies have soil rich with humus, which provides __________ for crops. Animals eat the grasses that grow naturally in this soil.

wasted, spoiled, eroded 12. Soil is a resource that can be used up, _______,

wasted, spoiled, eroded 12. Soil is a resource that can be used up, _______, or ________. It can be ___________ by flowing water and wind.

Pollution, chemicals 13. _____________ is the addition of harmful materials to soil, air, or

Pollution, chemicals 13. _____________ is the addition of harmful materials to soil, air, or water. Soil can be polluted by __________ placed in the ground. When people dump garbage on the ground, the garbage can also pollute the soil.

conservation 14. The preservation or protection of natural resources, including soil, is called __________.

conservation 14. The preservation or protection of natural resources, including soil, is called __________.

Fertilization 15. __________ is a method of conservation by which nutrients are added to

Fertilization 15. __________ is a method of conservation by which nutrients are added to soil to replace the nutrients used by previous crops.

crop rotation 16. Farmers can alternate the type of crops they plant year to

crop rotation 16. Farmers can alternate the type of crops they plant year to year. This is called _______________.

strip farming 17. Plant roots help prevent soil from being washed or blown away.

strip farming 17. Plant roots help prevent soil from being washed or blown away. For this reason, farmers may use ________________ method to plant grasses between rows of other crops.

contour, terracing 18. Farmers can conserve soil on hills when they use ______ plowing

contour, terracing 18. Farmers can conserve soil on hills when they use ______ plowing and _______.

A Horizon B Horizon C Horizon Solid Bedrock

A Horizon B Horizon C Horizon Solid Bedrock