ENVS 1000U Study Guide - Final Guide: United States Regulation Of Point Source Water Pollution, Mixed Grass Prairie, Genetically Modified Fish
12 Apr 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Soil consists of mineral matter, organic matter, air and water. Dead and living microorganisms and decaying material. Bacteria, algae, insects, earthworms, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. Since soil is composed of living and non living matter, it is considered. Best soils found in grasslands an ecosystem: the most important agricultural areas in the world were originally grasslands. Wildlife habitat agricultural areas for crops livestock grazing biomass for biofuels. Properties of soil: humus = dark, spongy, crumbly mass of organic material formed by partial decomposition, a soil profile consists of horizons (soil layers) Soil degradation: damage/loss of soils from poor management: this can result from deforestation agriculture and overgrazing. Desertification: affects 1/3 of earths land area: a loss of more than 10% productivity due to: Erosion, soil compaction, forest removal, overgrazing, salinization, Reduced tillage = furrows are cut in the soil, a seed is dropped in and furrow is closed. Compost = produced when decomposers break down organic matter.
