Unit B Chapter 2- Soil A Natural Resource: Study Guide
Weathering- is the process of rocks being broken up by
growing plant roots
Erosion- is the movement of rock pieces to new places
Humus-is rotting plant and animal materials that are part of
topsoil
Fertile- soil that is rich in nutrients and it has the right
conditions for plants to grow
Soil Conservation-farmers and gardeners practice this because
they understand the importance of saving soil
Contour Plowing- farmers control soil loss by contour plowing
around hills instead of up and down the hills
Strip Cropping- is a practice that helps hold soil in place by
planting crops between rows of other crops
Terracing-is the cutting wide, flat planting areas into the sides
of steep hills or mountains
1. The three layers of soil are topsoil, subsoil, and
bedrock.
2. Soil is made up of weathered rock and humus.
3. Soil is necessary resource because plants grow in it.
4. The best soil for growing most plants contains
a mixture of ingredients.
5. Soil that is poor for growing plants can be improved by
adding fertilizer.
6. Clay soil doesn’t absorb much water, so plants in clay soil
need a lot of water.
7. One way farmers conserve soil is by strip cropping,
which helps prevent wind erosion.
8. Growing the same crop year after year
can use up certain nutrients in the soil.
9. When there is more rain than the soil can hold, topsoil can
be carried away by runoff.
Write complete sentences for each question.
1. Why is beach sand alone NOT a good environment for
most plants?
It doesn’t hold water, it erodes easily, and it doesn’t
have the nutrients that plants need.
2. How do plants change soil?
Plant roots break up rock to form new soil, they make
space in soil for air and water to enter, they take
nutrients from the soil, and they return nutrients to the
soil when they die.
3. How does soil provide the tools and material needed to
play softball?
The wooden bat comes from a tree that grew in soil,
the softball leather comes from an animal that ate
plants grown in soil, the players need food grown in
soil, and the game is played on a grassy field grown in
soil.