Examine the full-page photograph at the beginning of this ...

[jace]

Examine the full-page photograph at the beginning of this chapter. The aerial view in eastern Washington shows natural hillslopes and farmland.
 
  The yellow areas are growing wheat. The remaining areas are covered in native grasses. Explain how the farming practices visible in the photograph are designed to minimize soil erosion.
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

You discover an ancient reddish soil deposit buried beneath younger sediment and the modern soil. What horizon does it likely represent? What would you look for in this ancient soil to determine the ancient climate?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[maya.nigrin17@yahoo.com]

Answer to Question 1

There is no farming in the steep ravines, where disturbance of the soil for planting would enhance erosion. Some of the planting has been done along the contours of the landscape, which slows down potentially erosive water runoff along the surface. Land planted in wheat alternates with strips of land that remain covered in native grasses; this means that there is always some plant cover present year-round to slow down erosion by water and wind.

Answer to Question 2

Reddish colors dominate in B horizons. If it is from a desert, there will be significant calcite present. If it is from a humid region, clays and hydroxides are abundant.

[jace]

Correct answers!

[maya.nigrin17@yahoo.com]

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