SSCA 041 TEST 1 QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1 [26]
• Explain why it is important to open soil pits prior to sampling for
penetrative resistance cover the grassland.
• To establish soil forms through soil classification at site.
• Soil pits if interpreted by field pedologist provide pedogenic processes at
site and potentially relating properties on the site productivity example s
redox conditions, texture and rooting depth.
• Soil profiles reveals the evidence about erosion or deposition and previous
land use and can sometimes act as rough gauge.
b)
i) What would be the benefits of depth – increment sampling from the soil profiles
• help to give a consistent result layer on the structure that is known.
• help to increase the representativeness and sampling.
• It helps to reduce to the variability and defensibility
• It helps to increase the reliability of the information.
ii) Challenges associated with fixed–depth sampling
• Fixed depth sampling is not without problems.
• It is accurate and can result in false conclusions.
• Fixed depth sampling reduces the representativeness of the sampling.
• Fixed depth sampling reduces the variability and defensibility of the sampling.
• Fixed depth-sampling results in the skewness of the outcomes.
c) How statistics can be used to aid interpretations of penetrative values obtained
across the grassland soil
, • It enables us to estimate not only mean values but actual values.
• It enables us to express uncertainty in a quantitative way.
• Aids in putting errors in those estimations and predictions.
• aids in placing confidence intervals about estimations and predictions.
d) Explain why it is not enough to describe only the spatial variability of
penetrative resistance across the field with the support of statistics. [2]
Because it overlooks other factors such as vegetation variability, soil composition, and
temporal changes.
e) Provide a brief synthesis of how a reduction in grass cover across the
savannah grassland influences penetrative resistance and overall ecosystem
function. [8]
A reduction in grass cover across the savannah grassland can have significant
implications for penetrative resistance and overall ecosystem function. Penetrative
resistance refers to the ability of roots to penetrate the soil, and it is closely linked to the
presence and health of vegetation, especially grasses in the case of savannah
ecosystems. Here's a brief synthesis of how a decrease in grass cover can impact
penetrative resistance and ecosystem function:
• Decreased Root Systems:
• Grasses play a crucial role in stabilizing the soil with their extensive root
systems. A reduction in grass cover means fewer roots in the soil, leading
to decreased penetrative resistance.
• Increased Soil Erosion:
• Grass act as a natural barriers preventing soil particles from being easily
washed or blown away. A decline in grass cover exposes the soil to
erosive forces, negatively impacting soil structure and nutrient retention.
• Altered Water Infiltration:
QUESTION 1 [26]
• Explain why it is important to open soil pits prior to sampling for
penetrative resistance cover the grassland.
• To establish soil forms through soil classification at site.
• Soil pits if interpreted by field pedologist provide pedogenic processes at
site and potentially relating properties on the site productivity example s
redox conditions, texture and rooting depth.
• Soil profiles reveals the evidence about erosion or deposition and previous
land use and can sometimes act as rough gauge.
b)
i) What would be the benefits of depth – increment sampling from the soil profiles
• help to give a consistent result layer on the structure that is known.
• help to increase the representativeness and sampling.
• It helps to reduce to the variability and defensibility
• It helps to increase the reliability of the information.
ii) Challenges associated with fixed–depth sampling
• Fixed depth sampling is not without problems.
• It is accurate and can result in false conclusions.
• Fixed depth sampling reduces the representativeness of the sampling.
• Fixed depth sampling reduces the variability and defensibility of the sampling.
• Fixed depth-sampling results in the skewness of the outcomes.
c) How statistics can be used to aid interpretations of penetrative values obtained
across the grassland soil
, • It enables us to estimate not only mean values but actual values.
• It enables us to express uncertainty in a quantitative way.
• Aids in putting errors in those estimations and predictions.
• aids in placing confidence intervals about estimations and predictions.
d) Explain why it is not enough to describe only the spatial variability of
penetrative resistance across the field with the support of statistics. [2]
Because it overlooks other factors such as vegetation variability, soil composition, and
temporal changes.
e) Provide a brief synthesis of how a reduction in grass cover across the
savannah grassland influences penetrative resistance and overall ecosystem
function. [8]
A reduction in grass cover across the savannah grassland can have significant
implications for penetrative resistance and overall ecosystem function. Penetrative
resistance refers to the ability of roots to penetrate the soil, and it is closely linked to the
presence and health of vegetation, especially grasses in the case of savannah
ecosystems. Here's a brief synthesis of how a decrease in grass cover can impact
penetrative resistance and ecosystem function:
• Decreased Root Systems:
• Grasses play a crucial role in stabilizing the soil with their extensive root
systems. A reduction in grass cover means fewer roots in the soil, leading
to decreased penetrative resistance.
• Increased Soil Erosion:
• Grass act as a natural barriers preventing soil particles from being easily
washed or blown away. A decline in grass cover exposes the soil to
erosive forces, negatively impacting soil structure and nutrient retention.
• Altered Water Infiltration:
