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Draw a fully annotated soil profile of a podzol soil to describe its main characteristics (including horizons, colour, texture and drainage), and associated vegetation. - Scottish Highers Geography - Question 6 - 2023
Question 6
Draw a fully annotated soil profile of a podzol soil to describe its main characteristics (including horizons, colour, texture and drainage), and associated vegetati... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Draw a fully annotated soil profile of a podzol soil to describe its main characteristics (including horizons, colour, texture and drainage), and associated vegetation. - Scottish Highers Geography - Question 6 - 2023
Step 1
Draw the Soil Profile
Answer
Create a vertical section representing a podzol soil profile, including its horizons: O (organic), A (topsoil), E (illuviation), B (subsoil), and C (parent material).
- O Horizon: Add organic matter such as leaf litter and decomposed material, typically dark in color.
- A Horizon: Illustrate a topsoil layer, often lighter, with a granulated texture. This layer may be a mix of minerals and organic material.
- E Horizon: Represent a leached layer that appears lighter in color (gray or white) due to the removal of minerals and nutrients.
- B Horizon: Indicate the illuviated horizon, generally darker with denser texture and higher clay content due to accumulation of minerals leached from above.
- C Horizon: Illustrate the weathered parent material, often stony or sandy.
Step 2
Annotate the Colours
Answer
Annotate the profile with the colors associated with each horizon:
- O Horizon: Dark brown to black due to organic matter.
- A Horizon: Brown to reddish-brown, indicating a mix of decaying organic material.
- E Horizon: Light gray or white from leaching processes.
- B Horizon: Reddish brown, showing mineral accumulation.
- C Horizon: Pale brown to beige, indicating weathered material.
Step 3
Detail the Texture
Answer
Include details on the texture for each horizon:
- O Horizon: Loamy or crumbly due to organic content.
- A Horizon: Granular texture with a mix of sand, silt, and clay.
- E Horizon: Sandy texture, as it tends to be leached and less compact.
- B Horizon: Denser, clayish texture resulting from accumulation.
- C Horizon: Coarse, rocky texture with larger particles.
Step 4
Describe the Drainage
Answer
Explain the drainage characteristics:
- O and A Horizons: Well-drained due to organic content and aeration.
- E Horizon: Moderately well-drained, but can retain water.
- B Horizon: Well-drained with a good structure for moisture retention but can become waterlogged in heavy rainfall.
- C Horizon: Variable drainage, dependent on the rock type and weathering.
Step 5
Identify Associated Vegetation
Answer
Include annotations for associated vegetation:
- O and A Horizons: Typically found under coniferous forests, with species like pine which thrive in acidic conditions.
- B Horizon: May support heathland plants, adapted to lower nutrient availability.
- E Horizon: Often supports few plants due to leaching, but some mosses may thrive.