SOIL STUDY GUIDE
SOIL TYPES
1. Sandy Soil – large particles, drains water quickly, low fertility.
2. Clay Soil – very small particles, holds water, poor drainage.
3. Loamy Soil – mixture of sand, silt, and clay; most fertile.
4. Silty Soil – smooth texture, holds water better than sand.
5. Peaty Soil – dark, rich in organic matter, acidic.
6. Chalky Soil – alkaline soil, contains calcium carbonate.
SOIL PROFILE
O-Horizon: organic matter (humus).
A-Horizon: topsoil (minerals + humus; supports plant life).
B-Horizon: subsoil (minerals leached from A).
C-Horizon: weathered parent rock.
R-Horizon: bedrock.
DESERTIFICATION
How Desertification Leads to Loss of Productivity (~10%):
– Loss of vegetation → soil exposed.
– Soil erosion removes fertile topsoil.
– Soil becomes dry and hard.
– Water infiltration decreases.
→ Leads to about 10% drop in productivity.
SOIL EROSION – CAUSES
Deforestation, overgrazing, over-cultivation, heavy rainfall, wind, construction, poor
farming practices.
SUSTAINABLE FARMING TECHNIQUES
1. Crop Rotation – maintains nutrients, reduces pests.
2. Contour Farming – ploughing across slope to reduce erosion.
3. Terracing – steps on slopes to slow water flow.
4. Shelterbelts – rows of trees to reduce wind erosion.
5. Conservation Tillage – minimal soil disturbance.
PROBLEMS OF IRRIGATION
Salinization – salt buildup reduces growth.
Waterlogging – excess water reduces oxygen for roots.
THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY
Habitat loss, pollution, overexploitation, climate change, invasive species, agriculture.
SOLID WASTE
Human Activities Increasing Solid Waste:
– Industry, households, packaging, agriculture, electronics, medical waste.
Waste Management Hierarchy:
Reduce → Reuse → Recycle → Recovery → Disposal
Why Manage Waste:
Protect health, prevent pollution, conserve resources, save land, reduce emissions.
Environmental Justice:
Fair treatment so no community bears more pollution.
COMMON RESOURCES & POPULATION
Effects of Population Growth:
Overuse of water, forests, fish; pollution; resource depletion.
Reasons for Rapid Population Growth:
High birth rates, low death rates, early marriage, cultural preferences, lack of family
planning, improved food.
GREENHOUSE GASES
Natural Sources: volcanoes, respiration, wetlands, oceans, wildfires.
Human Sources: fossil fuels, deforestation, agriculture, industries, landfills, refrigerants.
CLIMATE AGREEMENTS
Kyoto Protocol – binding emission reductions for developed nations.
Paris Agreement – global pledge to keep warming below 2°C.
CONSEQUENCES OF GLOBAL WARMING
Rising sea levels, heatwaves, melting ice, droughts, storms, biodiversity loss, disease spread.
TEMPERATURE INVERSION
Warm air traps cold air below → traps pollutants → smog and health problems.
ENERGY
Renewable vs Non-Renewable:
Renewable – naturally replenished (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal).
Non-renewable – limited supply (coal, oil, gas, nuclear).
CLIMATE FACTORS
Climate is influenced by:
1. Solar Radiation
2. Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse Gases:
CO2, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide.