SOILS AND NATURAL VEGETATION

Chapter 13

The Soil Base - MOMA

Mineral Come from rocks Become part of the soil when the rock is broken down

by weathering Calcium, potassium, phosphorous

Organic Materials Humus: dead plant and animal matter

Moisture Water that is taken up by plant roots

Air high humus layer helps produce air Air space created by worms, insects and small animals

The Layers

The ”O“ horizon is a thin layer of humus (dead leaves and other organic matter).The ”A“ horizon is topsoil, dark and rich in humus.

The ”B“ horizon is subsoil, poorer in humus, but rich in minerals from the topsoil.

The ”C“ horizon is infertile, weathered rock fragments.

The ”D“ horizon is infertile, solid bedrock.

Vegetation

Vegetation is a general term for the plant life of a region (which very much depends on soil quality)

In Canada, we have everything from desert cactus to massive rainforest trees, and everything in between Mosses Plants Shrubs Coniferous trees Deciduous trees

Vegetation Regions – Fig. 13-5

Alberta

Nunavut

Manitoba Quebec

Ontario

Northwest Territories

Canada

YukonTerritory

Tundra

Boreal Forest

Grassland

Parkland

West Coast Forest

Broad-leaved Forest

Mixed Forest

Cordil leran Vegetation

Vegetation Regions

N

Tundra

Types of Natural Vegetation Shrubs, mosses, lichens, small flowers

Temperature Characteristics Cold, short growing seasons

Precipitation Characteristics Very little precipitation. Less than 40mms

Soil Characteristics Thin soils and permafrost (ground that

doesn’t completely thaw in the summer)

Boreal and Taiga Region

Types of Natural Vegetation Coniferous trees: black spruce, balsam fir, pine

Temperature Characteristics Cold, short growing seasons

Precipitation Characteristics Rain and snow

Soil Characteristics Lack of humus, high acidity, leaching effect

(continuous downward movement of water) Unsuitable for agriculture

Mixed Forests

Types of Natural Vegetation Coniferous and deciduous trees, and small shrubs

Temperature Characteristics Cold winds and harsh climate. Warm summers.

Precipitation Characteristics Regular and abundant

Soil Characteristics Humus holds water and fewer soluble minerals

are removed from the soil. Suitable for farming

Deciduous Forest

Types of Natural Vegetation Deciduous trees,

Temperature Characteristics Long, hot summers, with mild winters

Precipitation Characteristics Lots of rain

Soil Characteristics More humus and less acidity. Dark brown in colour Most fertile of Eastern Canada

Grasslands

Types of Natural Vegetation Grass, sagebrush, cactus

Temperature Characteristics Very dry

Precipitation Characteristics Little rain

Soil Characteristics Calcified soils that are unsuitable for crops

Cordilleran Vegetation

Types of Natural Vegetation Grasses, shrubs, coniferous and deciduous

trees Temperature Characteristics

warm Precipitation Characteristics

Heavier rain on the west side of the mountains

Soil Characteristics Vary depending on elevation

West Coast Forests

Types of Natural Vegetation Lush forests of Douglas firs, sitka spruce, red

cedars, and hemlocks Temperature Characteristics

Mild climate Precipitation Characteristics

Heavy rainfall Soil Characteristics

Excellent growing conditions Lots of humus but also strong leeching effect

which causes minerals to be deep in the soil