Environmental Science Land Use and Soil

Question 1

What is soil horizonation, and what does the 'O horizon' represent?

Accepted Answer

Vertical layering of soil; organic matter / surface litter

Answer

Vertical layering of soil; bedrock layer

Answer

Chemical zonation; oxidized minerals

Answer

Biological zonation; root zone

Question 2

Which agricultural practice involves growing different crops in adjacent strips to reduce erosion and improve soil health?

Accepted Answer

Strip cropping

Answer

Monoculture

Answer

Slash and burn

Answer

No-till farming

Question 3

What is desertification?

Accepted Answer

Degradation of dryland areas due to human activity and drought

Answer

Conversion of wetlands to desert ecosystems

Answer

Coastal erosion from sea level rise

Answer

The spread of invasive desert plants

Question 4

Which soil property describes its ability to hold water against drainage?

Accepted Answer

Field capacity

Answer

Porosity

Answer

Permeability

Answer

Bulk density

Question 5

What does the Dust Bowl of the 1930s illustrate about land management?

Accepted Answer

The effects of poor soil conservation practices on agriculture

Answer

The danger of excessive irrigation

Answer

The consequences of drought alone

Answer

The impact of urban sprawl on farmland

Question 6

Which land use change is the leading cause of tropical deforestation globally?

Accepted Answer

Agricultural conversion (especially cattle ranching and soy)

Answer

Urban expansion

Answer

Logging for timber

Answer

Mining operations