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Consequences of soil erosion?
Loss of fertility, sediment pollution, reduced water quality.
Cause and effect of over-farming and drought?
Massive soil erosion, dust storms (Dust Bowl).
Effect of deforestation on soil?
Increased soil erosion due to lack of root structure.
Effect of overgrazing on soil?
Compacts soil, reduces vegetation cover, increases erosion.
How does soil erosion affect soil fertility?
It removes the nutrient-rich topsoil layer, reducing the soil's ability to support plant growth.
How does soil erosion affect water quality?
It leads to sediment pollution, clouding the water and harming aquatic life, while also reducing the soil's ability to filter pollutants.
What were the environmental consequences of the Dust Bowl?
Massive dust storms, loss of topsoil, agricultural devastation, and displacement of people.
What is Parent Material?
Underlying rock that breaks down to form soil.
What is Weathering?
Breakdown of parent material into smaller pieces by physical or chemical means.
What is Humus?
Surface litter; decaying organic matter.
What is Topsoil?
Mixture of organic matter and minerals; most fertile layer.
What is Eluviation?
Process of leaching nutrients from the E horizon.
What is Soil Erosion?
Removal of topsoil by wind or water.
What is Sediment Pollution?
Pollution of waterways by eroded soil.
What is Soil Degradation?
Loss of soil quality due to nutrient depletion or pollution.
What are Soil Horizons?
Distinct layers of soil.
What is Deposition?
The addition of new materials to the soil through wind and water.
What is the role of parent material in soil formation?
Provides the raw mineral ingredients for soil.
Why is weathering important for soil formation?
Breaks down parent material into smaller, usable components.
How does biological activity contribute to soil formation?
Adds organic matter and nutrients through decomposition.
Why is topsoil the most fertile layer?
It has the highest concentration of organic matter and nutrients.
What is the significance of soil horizons?
They represent different stages of soil development and have unique characteristics.
Why is vegetation important for preventing soil erosion?
Plant roots hold soil in place, and plant cover protects the soil surface.
What are the effects of sediment pollution on aquatic life?
Clouds water, reduces sunlight, and clogs waterways.
How does soil act as a natural filter?
It removes pollutants from water as it percolates through the soil layers.
What is the main difference between soil erosion and soil degradation?
Erosion is physical removal; degradation is loss of quality.
What caused the Dust Bowl?
Over-farming, drought, and lack of soil conservation.