Question 1

Which of the following does not increase porosity?

Accepted Answer

A)  worms 
B)  root growth 
C)  laterization 
D)  ped formation 
A)  worms 
B)  root growth 
C)  laterization 
D)  ped formation C

Question 2

Important soil components that are involved in the retention of ions formed by clay and organic particles are called

Accepted Answer

A)  peds. 
B)  separates. 
C)  colloids. 
D)  pH holders. 
A)  peds. 
B)  separates. 
C)  colloids. 
D)  pH holders. C

Question 3

Which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Both the direct and indirect costs of soil erosion is estimated at hundreds of billions of dollars worldwide. 
B)  Soil that has eroded could take centuries to be replaced. 
C)  Loss of soil, combined with exponential population growth, could lead to serious food shortages. 
D)  Fertilizers can maintain soil fertility and productivity into the distant future-even if the soil is eroding. 
E)  All of the above. 
A)  Both the direct and indirect costs of soil erosion is estimated at hundreds of billions of dollars worldwide. 
B)  Soil that has eroded could take centuries to be replaced. 
C)  Loss of soil, combined with exponential population growth, could lead to serious food shortages. 
D)  Fertilizers can maintain soil fertility and productivity into the distant future-even if the soil is eroding. 
E)  All of the above. E

Question 4

Which pedogenic regime occurs in cool, wet climates in areas of poor drainage, and results in the accumulation of humus-as well as a water-saturated layer of gray clay?

Accepted Answer

A)  laterization 
B)  salinization 
C)  podzolation 
D)  gleization 
A)  laterization 
B)  salinization 
C)  podzolation 
D)  gleization

Question 5

Mollisols are the most predominant soil order in the United States.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Accumulations of thick organic matter, such as in the beds of former lakes or bogs, are classified as

Accepted Answer

A)  Entisols. 
B)  Histosols. 
C)  Vertisols. 
D)  Mollisols. 
A)  Entisols. 
B)  Histosols. 
C)  Vertisols. 
D)  Mollisols.

Question 7

Which of the following soils would have limited horizon development and would be destructive of buildings and roads?

Accepted Answer

A)  Inceptisols 
B)  Vertisols 
C)  Mollisols 
D)  Alfisols 
A)  Inceptisols 
B)  Vertisols 
C)  Mollisols 
D)  Alfisols

Question 8

Soil separates refer to

Accepted Answer

A)  differing soil colors in a pedon. 
B)  individual mineral particles, such as sand, silt, and clay. 
C)  the different soil horizons. 
D)  the larger pebbles, gravels, and cobbles. 
A)  differing soil colors in a pedon. 
B)  individual mineral particles, such as sand, silt, and clay. 
C)  the different soil horizons. 
D)  the larger pebbles, gravels, and cobbles.

Question 9

Which of the following soil horizon designations is in correct sequence from the surface to bedrock?

Accepted Answer

A)  O, R, C, B, A 
B)  A, B, C, O, R 
C)  S, O, I, L 
D)  O, A, E, B, C, R 
A)  O, R, C, B, A 
B)  A, B, C, O, R 
C)  S, O, I, L 
D)  O, A, E, B, C, R

Question 10

The science that deals with the origin, classification, and distribution of soils is known as ________, whereas the science that deals with soil as a medium for plant growth is called ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  pedology; edaphology 
B)  edaphology; pedology 
C)  pedology; geomorphology 
D)  geomorphology; edaphology 
A)  pedology; edaphology 
B)  edaphology; pedology 
C)  pedology; geomorphology 
D)  geomorphology; edaphology

Question 11

Which of the following is false regarding the C horizon?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is equivalent to regolith. 
B)  It lacks clay concentrations. 
C)  It is generally made up of carbonates, gypsum, or soluble salts. 
D)  Although it may be deep, it lies within the realm of significant biological influences. 
E)  Roots rarely reach this layer. 
A)  It is equivalent to regolith. 
B)  It lacks clay concentrations. 
C)  It is generally made up of carbonates, gypsum, or soluble salts. 
D)  Although it may be deep, it lies within the realm of significant biological influences. 
E)  Roots rarely reach this layer.

Question 12

Oxisols are ________ and ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  highly leached; nutrient-rich 
B)  highly leached; nutrient-poor 
C)  poorly leached; nutrient-rich 
D)  poorly leached; nutrient-poor 
A)  highly leached; nutrient-rich 
B)  highly leached; nutrient-poor 
C)  poorly leached; nutrient-rich 
D)  poorly leached; nutrient-poor

Question 13

Soil is a dynamic natural body comprising fine materials in which plants grow, and which is composed of both mineral and organic matter.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

The Soil Taxonomy is based on observable soil properties, rather than the former system, which used dynamic natural processes and soil genesis as the basis of classification.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

As with many areas of interest to geographers, soil science is a/n ________ concerned with ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  sharply limited and defined subject; memorization of facts about Earth 
B)  sharply limited and defined subject; spatial distributions and processes 
C)  multidisciplinary subject; memorization of facts about Earth 
D)  multidisciplinary subject; spatial distributions and processes 
A)  sharply limited and defined subject; memorization of facts about Earth 
B)  sharply limited and defined subject; spatial distributions and processes 
C)  multidisciplinary subject; memorization of facts about Earth 
D)  multidisciplinary subject; spatial distributions and processes

Question 16

Gelisols are most common in the middle latitudes.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Which of the following is true of soil color?

Accepted Answer

A)  Color does not reflect composition or chemical makeup. 
B)  Dark soils always indicate high organic content. 
C)  For consistency of description, a soil color chart is employed by soil scientists. 
D)  Soil color is restricted to the top horizon of the soil pedon. 
A)  Color does not reflect composition or chemical makeup. 
B)  Dark soils always indicate high organic content. 
C)  For consistency of description, a soil color chart is employed by soil scientists. 
D)  Soil color is restricted to the top horizon of the soil pedon.

Question 18

A pedon is the basic soil mapping unit, and a polypedon is the basic soil sampling unit.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

A mixture of decomposed organic matter in soil that is usually dark in color is called

Accepted Answer

A)  regolith. 
B)  polypedon. 
C)  humus. 
D)  mineral matter. 
A)  regolith. 
B)  polypedon. 
C)  humus. 
D)  mineral matter.

Question 20

B horizons are often ________ in color because of ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  dark; accumulation of humus 
B)  dark; it is made of dark colored, mafic minerals 
C)  reddish or yellowish; the minerals they contain are often chemically oxidized 
D)  reddish or yellowish; the minerals they contain are often chemically reduced 
A)  dark; accumulation of humus 
B)  dark; it is made of dark colored, mafic minerals 
C)  reddish or yellowish; the minerals they contain are often chemically oxidized 
D)  reddish or yellowish; the minerals they contain are often chemically reduced

Which of the following does not increase porosity?

Important soil components that are involved in the retention of ions formed by clay and organic particles are called

Which of the following is true?

Which pedogenic regime occurs in cool, wet climates in areas of poor drainage, and results in the accumulation of humus-as well as a water-saturated layer of gray clay?

Mollisols are the most predominant soil order in the United States.

Accumulations of thick organic matter, such as in the beds of former lakes or bogs, are classified as

Which of the following soils would have limited horizon development and would be destructive of buildings and roads?

Soil separates refer to

Which of the following soil horizon designations is in correct sequence from the surface to bedrock?

The science that deals with the origin, classification, and distribution of soils is known as , whereas the science that deals with soil as a medium for plant growth is called .

Which of the following is false regarding the C horizon?

Oxisols are and .

Soil is a dynamic natural body comprising fine materials in which plants grow, and which is composed of both mineral and organic matter.

The Soil Taxonomy is based on observable soil properties, rather than the former system, which used dynamic natural processes and soil genesis as the basis of classification.

As with many areas of interest to geographers, soil science is a/n concerned with .

Gelisols are most common in the middle latitudes.

Which of the following is true of soil color?

A pedon is the basic soil mapping unit, and a polypedon is the basic soil sampling unit.

A mixture of decomposed organic matter in soil that is usually dark in color is called

B horizons are often in color because of .

Foundations of Geography

Solar Energy, Seasons, and the Atmosphere

Atmospheric Energy and Global Temperatures

Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulation

Atmospheric Water and Weather

Water Resources

Global Climate Systems

The Dynamic Planet

Earthquakes and Volcanoes

Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement

Wind Processes and Desert Landscapes

The Oceans, Coastal Processes, and Landforms

Glacial and Penglacial Landscapes

Ecosystems and Biomes

Earth and the Human Denominator

Filters

Exam 15: The Geography of Soils

Which of the following does not increase porosity?

Important soil components that are involved in the retention of ions formed by clay and organic particles are called

Which of the following is true?

Which pedogenic regime occurs in cool, wet climates in areas of poor drainage, and results in the accumulation of humus-as well as a water-saturated layer of gray clay?

Mollisols are the most predominant soil order in the United States.

Accumulations of thick organic matter, such as in the beds of former lakes or bogs, are classified as

Which of the following soils would have limited horizon development and would be destructive of buildings and roads?

Soil separates refer to

Which of the following soil horizon designations is in correct sequence from the surface to bedrock?

The science that deals with the origin, classification, and distribution of soils is known as ________, whereas the science that deals with soil as a medium for plant growth is called ________.

Which of the following is false regarding the C horizon?

Oxisols are ________ and ________.

Soil is a dynamic natural body comprising fine materials in which plants grow, and which is composed of both mineral and organic matter.

The Soil Taxonomy is based on observable soil properties, rather than the former system, which used dynamic natural processes and soil genesis as the basis of classification.

As with many areas of interest to geographers, soil science is a/n ________ concerned with ________.

Gelisols are most common in the middle latitudes.

Which of the following is true of soil color?

A pedon is the basic soil mapping unit, and a polypedon is the basic soil sampling unit.

A mixture of decomposed organic matter in soil that is usually dark in color is called

B horizons are often ________ in color because of ________.

Foundations of Geography

Solar Energy, Seasons, and the Atmosphere

Atmospheric Energy and Global Temperatures

Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulation

Atmospheric Water and Weather

Water Resources

Global Climate Systems

The Dynamic Planet

Earthquakes and Volcanoes

Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement

Wind Processes and Desert Landscapes

The Oceans, Coastal Processes, and Landforms

Glacial and Penglacial Landscapes

Ecosystems and Biomes

Earth and the Human Denominator

Filters

The science that deals with the origin, classification, and distribution of soils is known as , whereas the science that deals with soil as a medium for plant growth is called .

Oxisols are and .

As with many areas of interest to geographers, soil science is a/n concerned with .

B horizons are often in color because of .