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OPTION - UNIT 7 GEOECOLOGY. THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. Syllabus Links - Soils. Core: 1.2 Weathering and Erosion Core: 1.7 Human Interaction Core: 2.2 Physical Processes Irish regions European Regions Continental / sub-continental region Core: 3 Fieldwork.
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OPTION - UNIT 7 GEOECOLOGY THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Revised Geography Syllabus
Syllabus Links - Soils • Core: 1.2 Weathering and Erosion • Core: 1.7 Human Interaction • Core: 2.2 Physical Processes • Irish regions • European Regions • Continental / sub-continental region • Core: 3 Fieldwork Revised Geography Syllabus
Syllabus Links - Biomes • Core: 2.2 Continental / sub-continental region • Elective: 4.5 Environmental Impact Revised Geography Syllabus
7.1 SOILS – Development • Weathering of Rocks in Situ • Re-deposited Weathered • Material Revised Geography Syllabus
7.1 SOILS – Development - Profiles General O Organic Layer consists of plant litter and humus Not present in cultivated fields A Topsoil consists of humus and minerals The ploughed layer B Subsoil low in organic material C Transition Area between soil and parent material consists of partially disintegrated bedrock R Bedrock Revised Geography Syllabus
7.1 SOILS – Development - Profiles Brown Earth Source ENCARTA Tropical Red Soil Revised Geography Syllabus
7.1 SOILS – Development • COMPOSITION • Mineral Matter • Organic matter • Water • Air • CHARACTERISTICS • Texture • Colour • Structure • Water Content • Organic Content • Water Retention • Etc. Revised Geography Syllabus
7.1 SOILS: Composition Revised Geography Syllabus
7.1 SOILS: Characteristics – Texture • Texture refers to the proportions of sand, silt and clay present. • Texture determines the percolation and water retention qualities of the soil which influences the ability of the soil to retain nutrients • Texture also determines how roots of plants are able to penetrate the soil Revised Geography Syllabus
7.1 SOILS: Characteristics - Texture Particle Size Clay: Less than 0.002mm Silt: 0.002 – 0.02mm Sand: 0.02 – 2.0mm Revised Geography Syllabus
7.1 SOILS: Characteristics – Determining Soil Texture 100 • Fill a screw topped clear glass jar two thirds full with soil • Add water until jar is almost full • Shake the jar for 1 minute approx. • Leave the jar to settle for 24 hours Clay 90 80 Silt 70 Fine Sand 60 50 40 30 Coarse Sand 20 10 0 Revised Geography Syllabus
7.1 SOILS: Characteristics - Texture Sample Sand 70% Clay 20% Silt 10% Revised Geography Syllabus
7.1 SOILS: Characteristics – Texture • Sandy Soils • Generally loose coarse particles easy to cultivate • Good drainage and aeration • Prone to leaching • Poor water retention makes them prone to drought • Easily eroded by water when wet and wind when dry • Silty Soils • Generally loose finer particles • Better water retention than the coarser sandy soil • Tend to lack nutrients which hinders seed germination • Easily eroded by heavy rainfall Revised Geography Syllabus
7.1 SOILS: Characteristics – Texture • Clay Soils • Very fine bonded particles • Poor drainage and aeration • Prone to water-logging • Sticky when wet • Very hard when dried out • Loam Soils • Equal proportions of sand, silt and clay • Good drainage and aeration properties • Retain nutrients and moisture • Easily cultivated Revised Geography Syllabus
7.1 SOILS: Characteristics – Structure • Structure refers to the shape and size of the solid grains of the soil • Structure determines • How easily soil is worked for agriculture • How it resists erosion • How easily air, water and living organisms can circulate through the soil Revised Geography Syllabus
7.1 SOILS: Characteristics – Structure • Single Grained Structure • Associated with sandy soils • Water, air and organisms can pass through it easily • Roots can spread out into the soil easily • Water retention is poor - Nutrient retention is poor • Prone to leaching • Vulnerable to drought Single grained Revised Geography Syllabus
7.1 SOILS: Characteristics – Structure • Crumby Structure • Associated with good agricultural land – loam soils • Water, air and organisms can pass through crumby soils easily • Roots can spread out into the soil easily • Water retention is good as it is soaked up by the crumbs of soil – Nutrient retention good Crumb : 1 - 5mm Revised Geography Syllabus
7.1 SOILS: Characteristics – Structure • Massive Structure • Usually associated with clay type soils • Water, air and organisms can not pass through this type of soil easily • Roots have difficulty penetrating the large lumps of clay • Soils are often waterlogged after periods of rain • Soil dries into hard clumps after a dry period Massive Revised Geography Syllabus
7.1 SOILS: Characteristics – pH value pH = potential Hydrogen ions pH value of 7 = neutral Revised Geography Syllabus
7.1 SOILS: Characteristics – pH value • pH is a measure of acidity or alkalinity • Low pH value = Acidic Soil • Leached by heavy rainfall - lacks calcium, nitrogen, magnesium and potassium – stunted growth • Discourages living organisms – reducing rate of plant breakdown • Formation of peat • At very low pH levels aluminium is dissolved by acids – poisonous to some plants Revised Geography Syllabus
7.1 SOILS: Characteristics – pH value • High pH value = Alkaline Soil • Develops on limestone landscapes – high concentration of calcium • Deficiency of iron and boron – distorted growth • pH 7 = Neutral Soil • Neutral or slightly acidic soil is most suitable for farming • Encourages growth of bacteria – vital for releasing nutrients from organic material Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – Influences Affected by: • Immediate Environment • Processes Including Human Interference Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – InfluencesImmediate Environment • Topography • Altitude • Slope • Aspect • Climate • Global Pattern of Soils • Parent Material • Rock type Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – Global Climate Types Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – Global Patterns Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – European Patterns Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – InfluencesImmediate Environment - Topography Horizon Formation Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – InfluencesProcesses incl. Human Interference Human • Over-cropping • Over-grazing • Desertification • Conservation Natural • Weathering • Soil Erosion • Leaching • Humification • Podzolisation • Laterisation • Calcification Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – InfluencesProcesses - Weathering Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – InfluencesProcesses - Erosion Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS Influences - Processes • Humification – organic matter rots to form humus • Calcification – very little leaching allows calcium to accumulate close to the surface forming fertile soil • Salinisation – moisture is brought to the surface by capillary action, but evaporates quickly and the dissolved salts are deposited in the upper layer of soil Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS Influences – Processes • Leaching – rainwater carries soluble minerals and organic matter down through the soil profile • Podzolisation – leaching by acidic water which can dissolve almost all the soil constituents, may leave the A Horizon infertile and grey in colour • Laterisation – leaching by non-acidic water leaves iron and aluminium close to the surface giving the soil a reddish colour • Gleying – lack of oxygen in waterlogged soils slows down the rotting process and organic matter accumulates at the top of the profile Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – Influences Human Interference Human • Over-cropping • Over-grazing • Desertification • Conservation Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – Human Interference Clearing Bush-land in Australia Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – Human Interference Erosion caused by raindrops on bare land Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – Human Interference Erosion caused by tilling dry land Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – Human Interference Erosion caused by wind Source: Seafriends.org.nz Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – Human Interference Livestock Damage Source: Seafriends.org.nz Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – Human Interference Soil Protection Source: Seafriends.org.nz Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – Human Interference Erosion caused by tilling hill slopes Source: Seafriends.org.nz Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – Human Interference Contour ploughing Strip cropping Source: Seafriends.org.nz Terracing Paddy (Padi) fields Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – Human Interference Soil Protection Source: Seafriends.org.nz Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – Human Interference Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – Human Interference Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – Human Interference Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – Human Interference Desertification– Europe Revised Geography Syllabus
7.2 SOILS – Human Interference Revised Geography Syllabus
7.3 BIOMES – World Regions Characterised by inter-relationships of: • Climate • Soils • Plants • Animals Revised Geography Syllabus
7.3 BIOMES – World Climates Types Revised Geography Syllabus
7.3 BIOMES – World Regions Revised Geography Syllabus