Description

Download the requirements for the soils honor by clicking on the download link above.

Soils

1. Define what "soil" means?
2. Where on earth is all soil located?
3. What are 5 key factors in soil formation?
4. Define the following terms:

1. A-Horizon
   
2. B-Horizon
   
3. C-Horizon
   
4. Organic layer
   
5. Mineral layer
   
6. Clay
   
7. Leaching
   
8. Silica
   
9. Humus
   
10. Soil Profile
    
11. Parent Material
    
12. Pedologist
    

5. Define the term "Soil Classification". Why are soils classified?
6. Discuss three differences between the following soil types:

1. Desert
   
2. Temperate
   
3. Tropical
   

7. Examine a 2-foot vertical section of soil. Label the different types of organic matterfound, identify the different soil horizons, and mark the transition from the soil layer to the mineral layer.
8. Draw, photograph, or collect and correctly label 5 different soil types.

References:

http://soils.usda.gov/

http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/FAOINFO/AGRICULT/AGL/agll/wrb/newkey.stm#DURISOLS

Bloom, Arthur L. (1978). Geomorphology: A Systematic Approach of Late CenozoicLandforms. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. ISBN 0-13-353086-8

Press, Frank and Raymond Siever. (1978). Earth.W.H. Freeman & Company. San Francisco. ISBN 0-7167-0289-4.

Skill Level 1
Original Honor 2006

Nature
North American Division
2007 Update