Land and Soil Resources Quick Check
1.What was the main cause of the Dust Bowl in the 1930s?
Answer: poor soil and land management
2.Use the scenario to answer the question.
A student writes two statements about the importance of soil.
Soil can act as a filter and keep pollutants out of groundwater.
Soil can be used as a natural building material.
Which of these describes whether the statements correctly describe the importance of soil
answer: Both Statements 1 and 2 correctly describe the importance of soil.
3.A student makes a list of all the soil layers in a temperate region. Which layer would be located farthest from the surface of the Earth?
Answer: bedrock (R)
4.Why is soil considered to be a nonrenewable natural resource?
Answer: It takes so long to form.
5.What are some ways that humans can conserve soil and land resources?
Answer: Some ways humans can conserve soil and land resources include reducing soil erosion, practicing sustainable agriculture, avoiding overuse of fertilizers and pesticides, reforestation, and preserving natural habitats.
5. Agricultural practices can impact soil health and fertility. List three examples of practices that can contribute to soil degradation.
Answer: Three examples of practices that can contribute to soil degradation are overuse of chemical fertilizers, excessive tilling or plowing, and deforestation leading to erosion.
6. What are the three main components of soil?
Answer: The three main components of soil are mineral particles (sand, silt, and clay), organic matter (decomposed plant and animal material), and water.
7. How does soil erosion occur?
Answer: Soil erosion occurs when wind or water carries away the top layer of soil, usually due to factors such as wind, heavy rainfall, or improper land management practices.
8. What are the factors that contribute to soil formation?
Answer: Factors that contribute to soil formation include climate, topography (shape and slope of the land), parent material (rock or sediment from which the soil forms), organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms), and time.
9. Explain the process of soil erosion by water.
Answer: Soil erosion by water occurs when raindrops cause the detachment of soil particles, which are then transported by surface runoff or flowing water. This can lead to gullies, streambank erosion, or sedimentation in bodies of water.
10. What are the possible effects of soil degradation?
Answer: Possible effects of soil degradation include reduced crop yields, loss of biodiversity, nutrient depletion, increased runoff and erosion, decreased water holding capacity, and increased vulnerability to drought or flooding.