apes unit 4 exam packet questions and answers rated A+ 2024/2025

apes unit 4 exam packet questions and answers rated A+ 2024/2025(pg. 11) soil layers (top to bottom) - correct answer o horizon (humus) a horizon (topsoil) e horizon (eluviation layer) b horizon (subsoil) c horizon (regolith) r horizon (bedrock) (pg. 11) biome differences: - correct answer 1. forests- warm climate, rich soil, alternating rainfall seasons 2. grassland- soil rich in organic materials, alternating rain seasons 3. rainforest- hot/humid climate, thin soil, heavy rainfall 4. desert- variable climate, minimal rainfall, nutrient rich soil (pg. 12) why does Lester Brown call topsoil the "foundation of civilization"? - correct answer because topsoil has been around for far longer than humanity and permits rich and diverse plant and animal lives. (pg. 12) why is soil erosion the "silent global crisis"? - correct answer topsoil provides irreplaceable organic materials, as well as the ability to grow vegetation on land. without topsoil, more carbon emission is released into the air during the process of growing vegetation. (pg. 12) explain how desertification occurs and dust bowls are formed. - correct answer when topsoil is eroded, the wind can more easily pick up the dirt underneath and use it to create dust storms. once fields that no longer have topsoil are abandoned, dunes will begin to form and create even more dust storms, causing desertification to spread through these abandoned fields. (pg. 12) list 3 regions or countries affected by soil degradation and desertification and give 2 pieces of data to support that claim. - correct answer 1. great plains region of united states - dustbowl - prolonged drought 2. soviet union - the spread of deserts due to overfarming - loss of arable farmland to feed citizens 3. china - expanding deserts (specifically gobi desert - frequent dust/sand storms (pg. 12-13) properties of soil are determined by: - correct answer 1. parent material- quartz, calcium carbonate 2. climate- too cold, humid tropics 3. topography- slope and arrangement of landscape, amount of erosion and depth of soil 4. organisms- plants, animals, all organisms, humans 5. time- young v. mature soils (pg. 13) soil degradation - correct answer 1. topsoil plowed and removed 2. increased erosion 3. compaction of soil due to machines, humans, and livestock 4. drying of soil due to compaction (pg. 13) positive feedback cycle to above processes: - correct answer 1. less vegetation 2. erosion increases (pg. 13) the tiny cutoff box underneath: - correct answer agriculture- depletion of soil nutrients pesticides- chemical pollution (pg. 13) physical properties - correct answer 1. size and weight of particles - sand, silt, and clay