Soil systems, terrestrial food production

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What are the main components of soil systems?

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Storages, Inputs, Outputs, Flows, Transformations.

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What are the main components of soil systems?

Storages, Inputs, Outputs, Flows, Transformations.

What is the O horizon in soil profiles?

The topmost layer composed of organic matter like leaf litter.

What are the characteristics of sandy soil?

Large particles, good drainage, poor nutrient retention, warms quickly in spring.

What is loam soil?

A mixture of sand, silt, and clay, ideal for most crops due to balanced drainage and nutrient retention.

What factors influence the sustainability of food production systems?

Resource use efficiency, environmental impact, economic viability, social acceptability, climate resilience.

What is intensive industrial agriculture?

A system with high inputs and outputs, significant environmental impacts, and economically efficient at large scales.

What is organic farming?

A farming method with lower chemical inputs, generally lower yields, and reduced environmental impact.

What is precision agriculture?

Using technology to optimize resource use in farming.

What are food deserts?

Areas with limited access to fresh, healthy food.

What is soil fertility?

The ability of soil to provide essential nutrients to plants.

What human activity can lead to soil degradation?

Overgrazing, monoculture, excessive tillage, chemical fertilizer overuse, deforestation.

What is erosion in the context of soil degradation?

The loss of topsoil due to wind, water, or poor land management.

What is salinization?

The accumulation of salts in soil, often due to poor irrigation practices.

What is contour plowing?

A soil conservation method that reduces erosion on slopes.

What is agroforestry?

A practice that combines trees with crops or livestock to enhance ecosystem services.

What is the impact of climate change on food production?

It affects crop yields and distribution patterns.

What is the role of microorganisms in soil?

They decompose organic matter and cycle nutrients, contributing to soil health.

What is the B horizon in soil profiles?

The subsoil layer where materials leached from above accumulate.

What is the significance of crop rotation?

It helps maintain soil health by alternating crops to prevent nutrient depletion.

What are buffer strips?

Vegetation planted along waterways to reduce runoff and erosion.

What is the C horizon in soil profiles?

Partially weathered parent material beneath the B horizon.

What is the impact of monoculture on soil?

It depletes specific nutrients and reduces biodiversity.

What is the R horizon in soil profiles?

The bedrock layer beneath all other soil horizons.

1 / 23

What are the main components of soil systems?

Flip

Spacebar

Storages, Inputs, Outputs, Flows, Transformations.

Flip

Spacebar

What are the main components of soil systems?

Storages, Inputs, Outputs, Flows, Transformations.

What is the O horizon in soil profiles?

The topmost layer composed of organic matter like leaf litter.

What are the characteristics of sandy soil?

Large particles, good drainage, poor nutrient retention, warms quickly in spring.

What is loam soil?

A mixture of sand, silt, and clay, ideal for most crops due to balanced drainage and nutrient retention.

What factors influence the sustainability of food production systems?

Resource use efficiency, environmental impact, economic viability, social acceptability, climate resilience.

What is intensive industrial agriculture?

A system with high inputs and outputs, significant environmental impacts, and economically efficient at large scales.

What is organic farming?

A farming method with lower chemical inputs, generally lower yields, and reduced environmental impact.

What is precision agriculture?

Using technology to optimize resource use in farming.

What are food deserts?

Areas with limited access to fresh, healthy food.

What is soil fertility?

The ability of soil to provide essential nutrients to plants.

What human activity can lead to soil degradation?

Overgrazing, monoculture, excessive tillage, chemical fertilizer overuse, deforestation.

What is erosion in the context of soil degradation?

The loss of topsoil due to wind, water, or poor land management.

What is salinization?

The accumulation of salts in soil, often due to poor irrigation practices.

What is contour plowing?

A soil conservation method that reduces erosion on slopes.

What is agroforestry?

A practice that combines trees with crops or livestock to enhance ecosystem services.

What is the impact of climate change on food production?

It affects crop yields and distribution patterns.

What is the role of microorganisms in soil?

They decompose organic matter and cycle nutrients, contributing to soil health.

What is the B horizon in soil profiles?

The subsoil layer where materials leached from above accumulate.

What is the significance of crop rotation?

It helps maintain soil health by alternating crops to prevent nutrient depletion.

What are buffer strips?

Vegetation planted along waterways to reduce runoff and erosion.

What is the C horizon in soil profiles?

Partially weathered parent material beneath the B horizon.

What is the impact of monoculture on soil?

It depletes specific nutrients and reduces biodiversity.

What is the R horizon in soil profiles?

The bedrock layer beneath all other soil horizons.