Content Vocabulary Directions: Use the clues and the terms listed below to complete the puzzle. NOTE: There is no empty square in the puzzle between the words of two-word terms. Some words may not be used. biota climate decomposition horizon organic matter parent material pore sediment soil topography Across 1. the shape of the land 4. the broken-down remains of dead plants and animals 6. all the living things in an area 9. the process that produces organic matter 10. mixture of weathered rock, rock fragments, decayed organic matter, water, and air Clues Down 2. the starting material that weathers and forms soil 3. a small space in the soil 5. the average weather of an area 7. rock material broken down or dissolved in water 8. a layer of soil Weathering and 29
Lesson Outline A. What is soil? 1. is a mixture of weathered rock, decayed organic matter, mineral fragments, water, and air. 2. About half the volume of soil is made of materials. a. also contains water, other liquids, and. b. In the soil, water and gases fill small holes called. c. can flow through soil because pores are present. d. The movement of water through pores is called. 3. The solid part of soil once part of living organisms is. a. Organic matter forms when once-living material undergoes by organisms in the soil. b. Organic matter helps hold water and in the soil. 4. The part of soils is made from materials, such as rock fragments, that have never been alive. B. Formation of 1. There are five of soil formation. 2. The starting material of soil is called. a. Parent material is made of the rock or that weathers and forms soil. b. The particle size and type of parent material can determine the of the soil that develops. 3. is the average weather of an area. can form rapidly in, wet climates. 4. is the shape and steepness of the landscape. 5. The is all the organisms that live in a region. Some biota in the soil form passages for to move through. 6. As time passes, weathering is constantly acting on and sediment. formation is a(n), but slow process. 30 Weathering and
Lesson Outline continued C. Horizons 1. are layers of soil formed from the product of weathering. 2. There are horizons common to most soils. a. The is the part of the soil you are most likely to see when you dig a shallow hole; it contains most of the organic matter in the soil. b. The usually contains a great deal of clay particles. c. The consists of parent material. D. Properties and Uses 1. The of a soil determine the best use of the soil. 2. Plants depend on the that come from organic matter and the weathering of rocks. 3. There are major soil types in the world. 4. type depends partly on. Weathering and 31
Content Practice A Directions: Complete this chart by choosing terms from the word bank and writing them in the correct spaces. A-horizon B-horizon biota C-horizon climate color consistency fertility infiltration parent material ph soil moisture structure temperature texture time topography 1. List nine terms that describe the properties of soils: a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. 2. List three terms that describe the layers where soils are found: a. b. c. i. s 3. List five terms that explain the formation of soils: a. b. c. d. e. Weathering and 33
Key Concept Builder Key Concept How is soil created? Directions: Answer each question in the space provided. 3. What is climate? 6. What does biota mean? 4. What are two ways climate is measured? 7. What effect do biota have on soil 5. In what type of climate is parent material quickly weathered? 1. What is parent material? 8. What are two specific ways biota assist soil 9. What is topography? 10. How does a flat topography affect soil 11. How does a steep topography affect soil 2. What are two ways parent material form soil? 12. What are three things that are true about soil 13. What often happens to the level of organic material in soil over time? 14. What materials produce layers in the soil? 38 Weathering and
Key Concept Builder Key Concept What are soil horizons? Directions: Label the diagram with these three terms on the lines provided: A-horizon, B-horizon, C-horizon. 1. Directions: Answer each question in the space provided. A-horizon 2. What is present there? 3. How does this horizon benefit plants? B-horizon 4. What is present there? 5. How does the B-horizon form? C-horizon 6. What part of rock formation makes up this layer? 7. Which types of parent material might be in this horizon? Weathering and 39