Chapter 3, Section 4Chapter 3, Section 4

Soil and VegetationSoil and Vegetation

Soil RegionsSoil RegionsWhat is soil?

A thin layer of weathered rock, humus, air, and water

World’s food supply depends greatly on topsoil: top six inches of soil

What is soil?A thin layer of weathered rock, humus, air,

and waterWorld’s food supply depends greatly on topsoil: top six inches of soil

Humus?Humus?-the organic material in soil lending it a dark brown or black

coloration-In soil science, humus refers to any organic matter which has reached a point of stability, where it will break down no further and might, if conditions do not change, remain essentially as it is for centuries, if not millennia.-In agriculture, humus is sometimes also used to describe mature compost, or natural compost extracted from a forest or other spontaneous source for use to amend soil. It is also used to describe a topsoil horizon that contains organic matter.

-the organic material in soil lending it a dark brown or black coloration

-In soil science, humus refers to any organic matter which has reached a point of stability, where it will break down no further and might, if conditions do not change, remain essentially as it is for centuries, if not millennia.-In agriculture, humus is sometimes also used to describe mature compost, or natural compost extracted from a forest or other spontaneous source for use to amend soil. It is also used to describe a topsoil horizon that contains organic matter.

Vegetation RegionsVegetation RegionsDifferent climatic zones = different

vegetation regionsEcosystem: an interdependent

community of plants and animalsBiome: the ecosystem of a particular

regionThere are typically four biomes: forest,

grassland, desert, tundra

Different climatic zones = different vegetation regions

Ecosystem: an interdependent community of plants and animals

Biome: the ecosystem of a particular regionThere are typically four biomes: forest,

grassland, desert, tundra

Soil DifferencesSoil DifferencesSoil characteristic

Wet Climate Dry Climate Warm Climate Cold Climate

Depth Deep shallow deep shallow

Texture Intermediate to fine

Coarse Fine coarse

Weathering Chemical Physical Rapid Slow

HumusContent

variable low low abundant

Acidity acidic Not acidic Less acidity High acidity

Vegetation Region #1: Forestlands

Vegetation Region #1: Forestlands

-either broadleaf or needleleafBroadleaf: maple, oak, birch, cottonwood

- also known as deciduous treesTypically deciduous trees lose or shed leaves

at least once during year.Deciduous trees almost exclusively located in

Northern Hemisphere

Needleleaf: pine, fir, cedar- also known as coniferous trees (they are cone bearing)

-either broadleaf or needleleafBroadleaf: maple, oak, birch, cottonwood

- also known as deciduous treesTypically deciduous trees lose or shed leaves

at least once during year.Deciduous trees almost exclusively located in

Northern Hemisphere

Needleleaf: pine, fir, cedar- also known as coniferous trees (they are cone bearing)

Vegetation Region #2: Grasslands

Vegetation Region #2: Grasslands

Flat regions, dotted with a few treesIn Tropical Grassland region: called savannas

In Northern Hemisphere: called steppeLook at the map on page 66. Using your prior

knowledge of these areas how are grasslands different in Northern and Southern Hemisphere?

Which continent has the greatest area of tropical rain forest?

What vegetation regions are found in US? In Europe?

Flat regions, dotted with a few treesIn Tropical Grassland region: called savannas

In Northern Hemisphere: called steppeLook at the map on page 66. Using your prior

knowledge of these areas how are grasslands different in Northern and Southern Hemisphere?

Which continent has the greatest area of tropical rain forest?

What vegetation regions are found in US? In Europe?

Vegetation Regions #3 and #4: Desert and Tundra

Vegetation Regions #3 and #4: Desert and Tundra

Extreme climatesVegetation adapt to tolerate heat or

cold In tundra: moss, lichen In desert: cacti, sagebrush

Extreme climatesVegetation adapt to tolerate heat or

cold In tundra: moss, lichen In desert: cacti, sagebrush

Human Impact on Environment

Human Impact on Environment

What impact does man have on the environment?What impact does man have on the environment?

Questions for thoughtQuestions for thought

What soil factors influence type of vegetation in a region?

What is the difference between coniferous and deciduous trees?

What is unique about vegetation in the desert and tundra regions?

What soil factors influence type of vegetation in a region?

What is the difference between coniferous and deciduous trees?

What is unique about vegetation in the desert and tundra regions?