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Soil, Soil - Coggle Diagram

- - - - with dry soils likely with low clay content bc they are likely to become loose with little cohesion (sticking together) between particles = soil isn't held together = if its windy soil and soil is unprotected then it might blow away. Problem for the area that looses soil and for areas where the soil is deposited as it may cover crops or land in urban areas
    - - rain splash erosion - soil particles are dislodged by the splash of a raindrop, soil particles dispersed in all directions but those going downhill are likely to travel further. over time, it can cause the downhill movement of large amounts of soil
      - surface runoff erosion - when water from rain, snowmelt or other sources flow over the land surface (surface runoff) and the infiltration capacity (no more water can be absorbed) of the soil has been exceeded. basically plants overwatered. can occur when rainfall is heavy or prolonged, or if the soil is relatively impermeable so more of the water flows over the ground surface
      - slumping and landslides - occurs when soil on slopes becomes very wet, the increased mass and lubrication of the water makes the downward movement of large amounts of soil more likely. Often occurs when deep soil on steep slopes becomes less stable following deforestation. The soil is held together less strongly and landslides following heavy rain become more likely
- - - - ploughing and drainage - makes soils more aerobic = increased rates of nitrogen fixation, nitrification and the decomposition of dom
      - soil nutrient levels - farmers add inorganic fertilisers, organic matter or by supporting natural processes that increase nutrient levels such as bacterial nitrogen fixation
      - irrigation - where there's not enough water and its the limiting factor on growth. sufficient water content = plants keep their stomata open and continue gaseous exchange when the soil would otherwise be dry (increases photosynthesis), also dissolves nutrients that can be absorbed by plants in ionic form
      - pH - controlling pH helps to ensure nutrients are soluble but not too easily leached
    - - Soil compaction - excessive use of heavy machinery or high livestock densities = compact soil = reduced aeration = waterlogging (soil is saturated with water so aerobic processes can't happen) more likely especially when soil is wet
      - soil nutrient levels - farming decreases them due to soil erosion, biomass removal, restraining natural processes that increase nutrient levels or by increased leaching (draining) of dissolved nutrients