Part 1: Soil Formation and Conservation 1. In \"Skin of the Earth\" (excerpted f
ID: 114555 • Letter: P
Question
Part 1: Soil Formation and Conservation 1. In "Skin of the Earth" (excerpted from the book Dirt), David Montgomery writes, "global climate zones set the template upon which soils and vegetation communities evolved." With global climate patterns in mind explain why tropical soils often have lower nutrient content than soils formed at higher latitudes. Your answer should include the terms: chemical weathering, and mechanical weathering 2. If tropical soils have suchlow nutrient content how do tropical rainforests sustain themselves? 3. Plant roots typically protect soil from erosion by water. Explain a potential positive feedback loop that can accelerate soil erosion when plants are removed from a hillside. 4. How do worms help to build soil? You answer should include the term detritivore 5. In "Rivers of Life" (excerpted from the book Dirt), David Montgomery uses three different regions to illustrate the potential hazards of poor soil management practices. Briefly explain the main cause of soil loss/degradation for the Sumerians of Mesopotamia, Chinese people from the province of Shansi, and Egyptians on the Nile River Delta. a) Mesopotamia b) Shansi c) Egypt Part 2: Erosion 6. Identify units of erosion measurement in Figure A. Convert the average erosion rate into mm/yr 7. Which regions in the United States have the highest continental erosion rates, why do these locations have the highest rates? 8. According to Figure B, which regions in the United States have the greatest erosion from human activity 9. Describe how the rates of human driven erosion compare to natural (continental) rates of erosion 10. Predict the potential source of human erosion in Figure B.Explanation / Answer
1. There is lot of heavy rain in the tropical region. Due to this heavy rain the nutrient in the tropical soil have tendency to leach out the only nutrient that are leach resistant like iron and aluminum are remaining in the soil. In contrast the soil at altitude is subjected to the higher nutrients because the chemical and mechanical weathering of rocks at higher altitude have higher rate. The sunlight reaches in more quantity do temperature is higher and the wind and rain also causes more weathering than the normal ground surface conditions.
2. The usual atmospheric conditions of tropical areas are moist and humid. Due to this the plant remaining and dead bodies of animal decompose faster and almost immediately the nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium etc. are absorbed in the soil. This provides the necessary nutrients to the plants and tress.
Please ask the rest of the questions in separate questionnaire.