PLSC 220 Study Guide - Final Guide: Diazotroph, Nitrogenase, Subsoil
Document Summary
Ecosystem services: the direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems to the well-being of humans. Functions of soil: plant growth medium: anchor roots, water and nutrients, water regulation: absorbs, stores, releases precipitation, plant water supply, purification, habitat for living things: organic matter decomposition, recycling inorganic nutrients, global energy cycle: moderates solar radiation. Albedo: concept of radiating heat dark coloured soils radiate more heat: engineering medium: primary construction material ceases to be soil. Pedology: the study of soil with respect to its origin, classification and description. Edaphology: the study of soil with respect to plant growth (agronomy: soil genesis. Soil: the naturally occurring, unconsolidated, mineral or organic material at least 10cm thick that o(cid:272)(cid:272)u(cid:396)s at the ea(cid:396)th"s su(cid:396)fa(cid:272)e a(cid:374)d is (cid:272)apa(cid:271)le of suppo(cid:396)ti(cid:374)g pla(cid:374)t g(cid:396)o(cid:449)th. Nonsoil: soil materials displaced by unnatural processes such as dumps of earth fill: unconsolidated material covered by >60cm of water throughout the year, organic material <40cm overlying water.
