soil horizons. organic layer (o-horizon) the uppermost layer; it is rich in organic material. plant...
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Soil Horizons
Organic Layer (O-horizon)
The uppermost layer; it is rich in organic material.
Plant litter accumulates in the O-horizon and gradually decays.
In desert soils the O-horizon is completely absent, but in certain organically rich soils it may be the dominant layer.
Topsoil (A-horizon)
It is dark and rich in accumulated organic matter and humus.It has a granular texture and is somewhat nutrient-poor due to the loss of many nutrient minerals to deeper layers and by leaching.
Subsoil (B-horizon)The light-colored subsoil beneath the A-horizon; it is often a zone of illuviation where nutrient minerals have leached out of the topsoil and litter accumulate. It is typically rich in iron and aluminum compounds and clay.
Parent Material (C-horizon)
This contains weathered pieces of rock and borders the unweathered solid parent material. Most roots do not go down this deep and it is often saturated with groundwater.
Fig. 3-23, p. 68
Fern
Mature soil
Honey fungus
Root system
Oak tree
Bacteria
Lords and ladies
Fungus
Actinomycetes
Nematode
Pseudoscorpion
Mite
RegolithYoung soil
Immature soil
Bedrock
Rockfragments
Moss and lichen
Organic debrisbuilds upGrasses and
small shrubs
Mole
Dog violet
Woodsorrel
EarthwormMillipede
O horizonLeaf litter
A horizon
Topsoil
B horizonSubsoil
C horizon
Parent material
Springtail
Red Earth Mite
Layers in Mature Soils
Infiltration: the downward movement of water through soil.
Leaching: dissolving of minerals and organic matter in upper layers carrying them to lower layers.
The soil type determines the degree of infiltration and leaching.
Fig. 3-24a, p. 69
Mosaic of closely packed pebbles, boulders
Weak humus-mineral mixture
Dry, brown to reddish-brown with variable accumulations of clay, calcium and carbonate, and soluble salts
Alkaline, dark, and rich in humus
Clay, calcium compounds
Desert Soil(hot, dry climate)
Grassland Soilsemiarid climate)
Fig. 3-24b, p. 69
Tropical Rain Forest Soil(humid, tropical climate)
Acidic light-colored humus
Iron and aluminum compounds mixed with clay
Fig. 3-24b, p. 69
Deciduous Forest Soil(humid, mild climate)
Forest litter leaf moldHumus-mineral mixtureLight, grayish-brown, silt loamDark brown firm clay
Fig. 3-24b, p. 69
Coniferous Forest Soil(humid, cold climate)
Light-colored and acidic
Acid litter and humus
Humus and iron and aluminum compounds
Case Study: Industrialized Food Production in the United States
Industrialized agriculture uses about 17% of all commercial energy in the U.S. and food travels an average 2,400 kilometers from farm to plate.
Figure 13-7Figure 13-7
Fig. 13-7, p. 277
4%
Food production
Food distribution and preparation
Food processing
LivestockCrops5%6%2% 17%
of total U.S. commercial energy use
Traditional Agriculture: Low Input PolycultureMany farmers in developing countries use low-input agriculture to grow a variety of crops on each plot of land (interplanting) through:
Polyvarietal cultivation: planting several genetic varieties.
Intercropping: two or more different crops grown at the same time in a plot.
Agroforestry: crops and trees are grown together.
Polyculture: different plants are planted together.