Its a dirty job, but someone has to do it!

Canada's Soil and Natural Vegetation Connections

Chapter 14 pg 159-162

4 Components of Soil

#1 Minerals Loose minerals (rocks) that

have been deposited by glaciers, wind or a river

Weathering: process when rocks are broken down into smaller particles, nutrients necessary for plant growth

e.g. Calcium, phosphorous, potassium

4 Components of Soil

#2 Bacteria & Organic Materials

Plants and animals die (decompose)

Bacteria breaks down matter, releasing nutrients

Humus: is formed, which gives soil a dark colour

4 Components of Soil

#3 Air Plants need air around

their roots to grow Air pockets are created by

worms, insects and small animals

4 Components of Soil

#4 Moisture Water dissolves the

nutrients (rocks, bacteria), which can then be taken up by the plants

Also helps with the decaying of bacteria and erosion of rocks into minerals

4 Components of Soil

Soil Horizons

Leaching

Wet climates or areas of intense irrigation

Nutrients are dissolved by water and transported from Topsoil (A Horizon) down to the Subsoil (B Horizon)

Calcification

Dry climates Salts and minerals

drawn upward by ground water as it is pulled to the surface by evaporation

Vegetation

Vegetation

Natural Vegetation: Plants that grow without any human interference

(Different types of natural veg. grow in response to different climatic and soil conditions)

Vegetation

There are three main types of natural vegetation in Canada:

1. Tundra

2. Forest

3. Grassland

Which one is is found on the prairies?

Prairies Vegetation

Grasslands:

Located in the Southern part of ________, __________, __________?

Where are all the trees?

Why?

Prairie Vegetation (Grasslands)

Prairie Vegetation (Grasslands)

3 Sub-regions:

1. Short Grass Prairie: the warmest and driest area of the prairies, limited vegetation growth

2. Long Grass Prairie: area of increased precipitation, encourages growth of long grasses. Creates rich black soil (Humus)

3. Parkland: long grass prairie, dotted with clumps of trees. Increased precipitation.