francdeb
Francis_D, biol482, 2013, Soiltest, lab_01
a) Silty Clay Loam
b) When the soil is dry it clumps into a hard surface creating a high level of runoff. As the soil becomes more moist it absorbs the water and nearby plants can take up this water. The smoothness of the soil when moist can also create a landslide which can be deadly to neighboring plants.
c) I collected soil in two areas. Area 1 was barely off the trail where there was scattered grass, small flowering & green plants; mostly early succession plants due to the high disturbance on the trails. Area 2: Had many huge Eucalyptus trees, a multitude of arthropods, small birds, there was a nearby stream with algae growing, fungi (mushrooms & Crustose Lichens).
d) Area 1: Early sussession plants are great at increasing nutrient availability, developing soils, reducing pH, or providing shade from the sun and shelter from the wind which help the soil become more nutrient for organisms that can't grow in low nutrient soil. Area 2: The fungi in the soil helps keep the soil clean and clears areas for new plant growth to occur.
e) During rainy seasons the soil is most likely eroding due to the soil texture I mentioned above and the high volume of runoff. Soil moving from an above area can effect organisms in a lower region because the new soil can be made up of different organic molecules or even have a higher pH level; It can be seen as non-native soil even from a mile away. I have noticed the top of the hill supports different organisms than the lower areas. This could be determined due to soil tolerance, soil nutrition, or even sun exposure. If the non-native soil in eroding down the hill it can prevent the already occupied species to diminish and cause a new species to grow, or possibly allow the older species to grow more efficiently because of the new soil nutrients. A way to prevent erosion would be to plant more vegetation (the roots will keep the soil together like glue).
f) Soil texture can help us determine how much water is being absorbed by the soil to replenish the aquifers. It is also helpful in determining if a possible landslide could occur and destroy habitats in the lower regions. Soil texture is also a good indication of how nutrient the soil is.
Francis_D, biol482, 2013, Soiltest, lab_01
a) Silty Clay Loam
b) When the soil is dry it clumps into a hard surface creating a high level of runoff. As the soil becomes more moist it absorbs the water and nearby plants can take up this water. The smoothness of the soil when moist can also create a landslide which can be deadly to neighboring plants.
c) I collected soil in two areas. Area 1 was barely off the trail where there was scattered grass, small flowering & green plants; mostly early succession plants due to the high disturbance on the trails. Area 2: Had many huge Eucalyptus trees, a multitude of arthropods, small birds, there was a nearby stream with algae growing, fungi (mushrooms & Crustose Lichens).
d) Area 1: Early sussession plants are great at increasing nutrient availability, developing soils, reducing pH, or providing shade from the sun and shelter from the wind which help the soil become more nutrient for organisms that can't grow in low nutrient soil. Area 2: The fungi in the soil helps keep the soil clean and clears areas for new plant growth to occur.
e) During rainy seasons the soil is most likely eroding due to the soil texture I mentioned above and the high volume of runoff. Soil moving from an above area can effect organisms in a lower region because the new soil can be made up of different organic molecules or even have a higher pH level; It can be seen as non-native soil even from a mile away. I have noticed the top of the hill supports different organisms than the lower areas. This could be determined due to soil tolerance, soil nutrition, or even sun exposure. If the non-native soil in eroding down the hill it can prevent the already occupied species to diminish and cause a new species to grow, or possibly allow the older species to grow more efficiently because of the new soil nutrients. A way to prevent erosion would be to plant more vegetation (the roots will keep the soil together like glue).
f) Soil texture can help us determine how much water is being absorbed by the soil to replenish the aquifers. It is also helpful in determining if a possible landslide could occur and destroy habitats in the lower regions. Soil texture is also a good indication of how nutrient the soil is.