Soil

If bedrock has been partially weathered, it is known as saprolite. Saprolite is the result of chemical and physical weathering processes acting on bedrock material over time, breaking it down and creating a softer, more weathered layer.

Lichens secrete acids that break down bare rock, releasing minerals. When lichens die, they decompose to form organic matter that helps build up soil. Over time, this process contributes to soil formation on barren rock surfaces.

Compost helps preserve soil health by improving soil structure, increasing water retention, providing essential nutrients to plants, and promoting beneficial microbial activity. Over time, compost also helps reduce soil erosion and suppress plant diseases.

The process is called leaching, where water transports nutrients and compounds from the topsoil to deeper layers, affecting the soil's composition and fertility.

Soil is a mixture of weathered rock particles, organic matter, water, and air. These components together create a fertile medium for plant growth and provide habitat for a variety of organisms.

No, loess is a fine, silty soil deposited by the wind, not a mass of roots. The roots of prairie grasses helped hold the soil in place and retain moisture.

A vertical section through all of the soil horizons is called a soil profile.

The removal of forest cover increases soil erosion because tree roots help bind the soil together, reducing erosion caused by water or wind. Without tree cover, soil is more exposed to the elements and can be easily washed or blown away. This can lead to loss of topsoil and decreased soil fertility.

I recommend the farmer to test the soil pH and then adjust it by adding lime to raise the pH level. Soil acidity can hinder plant growth by reducing nutrient availability, so correcting the pH can help improve crop productivity.

Sandy topsoil is said to be well-draining because water flows easily through the large spaces between the sand particles, allowing excess water to move downward quickly. This promotes good aeration and helps prevent waterlogging, making sandy soil suitable for certain plants but also requiring proper irrigation and fertility management.

The three horizons of a mature residual soil are the A horizon (topsoil), B horizon (subsoil), and C horizon (weathered rock material). The A horizon contains organic matter and is the most fertile layer for plant growth. The B horizon is rich in minerals leached from the topsoil. The C horizon is the least weathered and consists of partially weathered bedrock.

Sand lacks the plasticity and cohesion that clay possesses, making it unsuitable for forming and maintaining the desired shape of a pot during the firing process. Clay contains fine particles that can be molded and shaped easily when wet, while sand does not have the same qualities required for pottery making.

That would be soil, which is a combination of weathered rock particles, organic matter from decomposed plant and animal material, and water. This mixture forms the top layer of the Earth's crust and is essential for plant growth and ecosystem health.

Three things that make up soil are called matter.Matter is made of solid liquid and gas.

Mining can lead to topsoil erosion and contamination, impacting soil quality and fertility. It can also disrupt and displace wildlife habitats, leading to loss of biodiversity and potential harm to wildlife populations. Mitigation measures, such as soil conservation practices and habitat restoration, can help minimize these impacts.

Soil moisture stress occurs when plants do not receive adequate water from the soil to meet their physiological needs, resulting in wilting, reduced growth, and ultimately, crop yield loss. This stress can be caused by factors such as insufficient rainfall, poor irrigation practices, or high temperatures leading to increased evaporation. Monitoring and managing soil moisture levels are crucial for plant health and productivity.

The best information that I can find is that northern Alabama's physiography consists of sections of slightly to moderately tilted, older sedimentary rocks and sections of steeply folded or faulted sedimentary rock. Agriculture consists of cotton, feed grains, livestock and poultry. Goode's World Atlas, 21st Edition ---- Essentially, what you are looking for can be found on what is known as a Soils Survey transcript or a Soils Series map. A terrific resource for this information is the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. They provide online mapping and transcripts for all soils located within the United States. http://www.mo15.nrcs.usda.gov/states/al_soils_graphic.html The map located at the link above (which is also attached as a Related Link) shows that the majority of the soil located in the northern portion of Alabama is classified as "Limestone Valleys and Uplands" and "Appalachian Plateau". http://www.mo15.nrcs.usda.gov/states/al_soils.html The link above (which is also attached as a Related Link) provides a detailed description of the contents of each of these soil groups. Quoted from the above link: Soils in this area were formed mainly in residuum weathered from limestones. Soils of the Tennessee and Coosa river valleys were weathered from pure limestones and are mainly red clayey soils with silt loam surface textures. Decatur and Dewey soils are extensive throughout the valleys. The Appalachian Plateau comprises Cumberland, Sand, Lookout, Gunter, Brindlee, Chandler, and other smaller mountains. Most of the soils are derived from sandstone or shale.

The more level areas are dominated by Nauvoo, Hartsells, and Wynnville soils which were formed in residuum from sandstone. They have a loamy subsoil and a fine sandy loam surface layer. http://soils.usda.gov/survey/online_surveys/alabama/ The link above, (which is also attached as a Related Link), provides a listing of various counties located within Alabama. Select your county or the county closest to you for more detailed soils information pertinent to your area.

Soil profiles contain layers because of the different processes that contribute to soil formation, such as weathering, organic matter accumulation, and soil organisms activity. Each layer represents a distinct stage in soil development and can provide information about the history and characteristics of the soil.

Soil texture affects properties such as drainage, water holding capacity, root penetration, and nutrient availability. Finer-textured soils like clay hold water more easily but can have poor drainage, while coarser-textured soils like sand drain quickly but may not retain water and nutrients well. Root penetration and nutrient availability can also be influenced by the texture of the soil.

River valleys tend to have the most fertile soil due to the regular deposit of nutrient-rich sediment from flooding. This process creates a nutrient-dense layer of topsoil that is highly conducive to agriculture.

Soil horizons are ordered from top to bottom as O, A, E, B, C, and R horizons. The O horizon is the top organic layer, followed by the A horizon of topsoil. The E horizon is a zone of leaching, the B horizon contains minerals leached from above, the C horizon consists of partially weathered parent material, and the R horizon is unaltered bedrock.

The soil conditions in the west coast forest vegetation region typically include well-drained, acidic soils that are rich in organic matter due to the decomposition of fallen leaves and plant material. The soil is often nutrient-rich, supporting the diverse plant life found in these forests. The high rainfall in this region also contributes to leaching of minerals and nutrients from the soil.

Small particles of soil are called "soil particles" or "soil grains." These particles can vary in size from sand particles to silt and clay particles.

Factors that can affect the type of soil in an area include climate (temperature and precipitation), parent material (original rock or sediment), topography (slope and elevation), organisms (plants and animals), and time for soil formation processes to occur. Human activities such as agriculture and urbanization can also influence soil type.

Approximately 58% of the carbon in the Earth's carbon cycle is found in soil. This carbon is stored in various forms, including organic matter in the soil itself and in plant roots. Soil is a crucial reservoir for carbon storage and plays a significant role in the global carbon cycle.