Natural Vegetation and
Soil Systems
Objectives
1) Describe the two major factors that control the kind of vegetation that will grow in an area
2) Describe the distribution of vegetation on the earth
3) Relate vegetation to climate, soils, and biomes
4) Describe the factors that influence soil formation
5) Understand the concept of horizons within a soil profile
6) Understand what leaching and capillary action is and how it affects soils
7) Describe the following soil types and recognize their soil profiles:
a) latosol b) podzol c) grey-brown podzol
d) chernozem e) sierozem (desert soil) f) tundra
8) Relate soil type to climate, vegetation, biomes, and agriculture
9) Understand the definition of a biome
10) Understand the nature of the major biomes by relating them to soils and vegetation
In this lesson, you will explore the major biomes of the world including vegetation and soil types.

Chapter 11 in Planet Earth: A Physical Geography
Key Soil Profiles


Assignment Work

Carefully read Chapter 11 in Planet Earth: A Physical Geography and complete the following questions in your notebook.

A) Questions #1, 2b, and 4a on page 213.

B) Questions #6 and 8 on page 215.

C1) Define photosynthesis, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, ecosystem, and food chain.
2) Go to the following Cool School links and try the interactive information items:
Sub-ecosystems
Food For All
Food Chains
Energy Flow

D) Define biome and complete Questions #17 and 18a on page 225.

E) Define loam, peds, humus, cation, pH scale, horizon, and topsoil. Answer Question #23a,c on page 230.

F) Define leaching. In what type of climate is leaching a concern?

G) Describe what "caliche" is and how it forms. In what type of climate would this likely occur?

Capillary action also contributes to the formation of "caliche". Using the internet or another source, define capillary action.

H) Give a description for each of the key factors that influence soil formation.

I) Give a definition for each order of soil:
zonal, intrazonal, and azonal.

J) Match the following soil groups to the descriptions of places below. A term may only be used once.

Terms

a) Tundra
b) Alluvial
c) Grey-brown podzol
d) Chernozem
e) Sierozem
f) Podzol
g) Latosol


Descriptions

1) This biome has xerophytes.
2) Common vegetation in this biome includes lichens, mosses, grasses, and plants that flower in the short summer.
3) The wheat producing areas of the Canadian prairies.
4) Leaching is a major concern in this biome and subsistence farming is common.
5) Richmond and Delta, British Columbia have an abundance of this type of soil.
6) The temperate deciduous forests of the northeast United States.
7) The Boreal forest of Canada.


K) Download, print out, and carefully read the "Key Soil Profiles" information from above.
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