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Understanding Weathering and Soil Formation for Effective Conservation

Learn about the processes of weathering and soil formation, including mechanical and chemical breakdown of rocks, differential weathering, and factors influencing weathering rates. Discover how soils vary across different landscapes and climates, and explore practices for soil conservation to preserve agricultural productivity and environmental health.

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Understanding Weathering and Soil Formation for Effective Conservation

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  1. Rebecca DeCamp Section 1-4 Weathering and Soil formation

  2. Weathering • The breakdown of rock into smaller pieces • Two basic types- mechanical & chemical • Mechanical- caused by physical means • Chemical- chemical breakdown of rock into new substances

  3. Rates of weathering (1) • The more something weathers- the more the surface area increases • Differential Weathering- when soft rocks get worn away leaving harder rocks behind • The smaller the rock- the faster it will weather • The rate of weathering depends on the climate

  4. Rates of weathering (2) • Weathering depend on elevations in the sense that place of higher elevation are exposed

  5. From bedrock to soil (1) • The rock where soil comes from – parent rock • Decayed plant and animal matter – humus • Soil layers from top to bottom –Topsoil, Subsoil, Bedrock • Tropical soils have plenty of Humus but lots of leaching • Desert soils are very dry and can even be toxic

  6. From bedrock to soil (2) • Temperate soils have lots of chemicals, little leaching, and plenty of water making for very fertile land • Arctic soils are much like desert soils in the sense that they are bad for plants.

  7. Soil conservation (1) • Soil conservation essential to agriculture, building, and the well-being of the environment • Soil provides housing for animals • Soil stores water • Erosion- process by which wind and water transport sediment to different locations

  8. Soil conservation (2) • Farmers plant cover crops to prevent soil eroding away between harvests • Rotating crops helps keep vital nutrients in the soil • Contour plowing and terracing helps to prevent erosion by water

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