Ciencias de la Tierra II SOIL (Session 25) Ciencias de la Tierra II

Ciencias de la Tierra II Formation of ground The material by which the ground is formed are rocks. The factors that promote the formation of the ground are: Wind and rain Changes in tempreature Chemical elements from the environment (acids and bases) Lichens, mosses, ferns Complex Vegetable organisms. Ciencias de la Tierra II

Ciencias de la Tierra II Formation of ground Ciencias de la Tierra II

Ciencias de la Tierra II Discussion Question Is the ground a resource that renovates or not? Ciencias de la Tierra II

Ciencias de la Tierra II Discussion Question Is the ground a resource that renovates or not? It takes hundreds of years to form a layer that is 1 cm thick. Ciencias de la Tierra II

Ciencias de la Tierra II Discussion question Is soil a biotic or abiotic element? Ciencias de la Tierra II

Ciencias de la Tierra II Discussion question Is soil a biotic or abiotic element? Soil contains many micro and macroorganisms that are basic for their structure and functioning. the fertility of soil depends on these organism. Ciencias de la Tierra II

Biotic Components of soil Organism Número por m² Bacteria 2.6 x 1014 fungus 8 x 1012 seaweed 3 x 1010 Protozoa 7 x 1012 Nemátodes 250,000 Insecta 100,000 Acarids 50,000 Cactus 4 x 1013 DiSpezio, M. et al. (1999) Ciencias de la Tierra II

Ciencias de la Tierra II Nebel, B. et al. (1998) Ciencias de la Tierra II

Ecosystems in normal conditions… the layered vegetables generate a natural equilibrium between formation of soil and loss of it, therefore we must consider layered vegetables as biotic components of soil. Ciencias de la Tierra II

Abiotic Components of soil Fragments od rock Sand Clay Minerals Acids, bases and salts Decomposed organic material (humus) Air Water Ciencias de la Tierra II

Ciencias de la Tierra II Property of soil Form of particles Size of particles Fertility, content of organic material and minerals Acid level Ciencias de la Tierra II DiSpezio, M. et al. (1999)

Profile of soil A B C DiSpezio, M. et al. (1999) Generally on the top layer you find plants and animals that have not been decomposed. DiSpezio, M. et al. (1999) A B C Beneath horizont C you find the father rock unlatered. Ciencias de la Tierra II

Ciencias de la Tierra II Types of soil Based on the characteristics that they present and goegrphical distribution there are 7 types: Forest soil Prairie soil Soil on hills Desert soil Mountain soil Tundra soil Tropical soil Ciencias de la Tierra II

Ciencias de la Tierra II Forest soils DiSpezio, M. et al. (1999) Ciencias de la Tierra II

Ciencias de la Tierra II Prairy soil DiSpezio, M. et al. (1999) Ciencias de la Tierra II

Soil appropriate for cattle DiSpezio, M. et al. (1999) Ciencias de la Tierra II

Ciencias de la Tierra II Desert soil DiSpezio, M. et al. (1999) Ciencias de la Tierra II

Ciencias de la Tierra II Mountain Soil DiSpezio, M. et al. (1999) Ciencias de la Tierra II

Ciencias de la Tierra II Tundra soil DiSpezio, M. et al. (1999) Ciencias de la Tierra II

Ciencias de la Tierra II Tropical soil DiSpezio, M. et al. (1999) Ciencias de la Tierra II

Ciencias de la Tierra II Importance of soil It is a linking element between biotic and abiotic organism. Allows the production of bio-mass (food and energy). Participates in hydrolic cycles. Fixation of energy. Biodiversity Cushions climatic changes. Ciencias de la Tierra II

Ciencias de la Tierra II Bibliography DiSpezio, M. et al. (1999). Science Insights: Exploring Earth and Space. 1era ed. Estados Unidos de América: Prentice Hall. Nebel, B. et al. (1999). Environmental Science. 6ta ed. Estados Unidos de América: Prentice Hall. Ciencias de la Tierra II

Ciencias de la Tierra II Bibliografía Enkerlin, E. et al. (1997). Environment Science and Sustainable Development. 1st ed. Mexico: Editorial Thomson Editors. Ciencias de la Tierra II