Soils Classification Practice

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Bhavdeep03
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Quizzes Created: 1 | Total Attempts: 1,345
| Attempts: 1,345
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  • 1/25 Questions

    Young soils; some diagnostic features, but no “mature” horizons; weakly developed A (usually ochric)

    • Ultisols
    • Histosols
    • Mollisols
    • Inceptisols
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About This Quiz

This 'Soils Classification Practice' quiz assesses knowledge on soil horizons, classifications, and properties according to USDA standards. It includes identifying specific soil orders, horizon characteristics, and understanding surface and subsurface layers, crucial for students and professionals in environmental and soil sciences.

Soils Classification Practice - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    Which soil order (USDA) has 30% or more clay to a depth of 50 cm and shrinking/swelling properties?

    • Histosols

    • Andisols

    • Vertisols

    • Utisols

    • Gelisols

    Correct Answer
    A. Vertisols
    Explanation
    Vertisols are the correct answer because they are soil orders that contain 30% or more clay to a depth of 50 cm and exhibit shrinking and swelling properties. Vertisols are known for their high clay content, which causes them to expand when wet and shrink when dry. These soils are typically found in areas with distinct wet and dry seasons, where the clay minerals can undergo significant volume changes.

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  • 3. 

    Intensive acid leaching, with podzolic B (o.m. & Al (+Fe) accumulation; Acid vegt: forest (particularly conifer) or heath 

    • Spodosols

    • Histosols

    • Mollisols

    • Vertisols

    Correct Answer
    A. Spodosols
    Explanation
    Spodosols are soils that form under coniferous forests or heath vegetation, where intensive acid leaching occurs. This leaching process leads to the accumulation of organic matter and aluminum (and sometimes iron) in the B horizon of the soil. Therefore, the given answer, Spodosols, is the most appropriate choice based on the information provided.

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  • 4. 

    Little development because of temperature, Frost churning is typical

    • Histosols

    • Gelisols

    • Aridisols

    • Inceptisol

    Correct Answer
    A. Gelisols
    Explanation
    Gelisols are soils that form in cold environments where there is little development due to low temperatures. Frost churning is a typical characteristic of Gelisols, which refers to the process of freezing and thawing of the soil, causing mixing and movement of soil particles. This constant freezing and thawing leads to minimal soil development and a unique soil profile. Therefore, Gelisols are the most suitable answer based on the given information.

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  • 5. 

    Soils with organic soil materials extending down to a impermeable layer or with an organic layer that is more than 40 cm thick and without andic properties 

    • Histosols

    • Spodosols

    • Oxisols

    • Vertisols

    • Alfisols

    Correct Answer
    A. Histosols
    Explanation
    Histosols are soils that have a thick organic layer, typically more than 40 cm thick, and are characterized by the presence of organic soil materials extending down to an impermeable layer. These soils are usually found in wetland areas where organic matter accumulates due to waterlogged conditions, leading to the formation of peat or muck. Histosols have a high water-holding capacity and are often used for agriculture or as wetland habitats.

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  • 6. 

    Accumulation of calcium-rich o.m. to form thick (>10 cm), dark, mollic / chernozemic A-horizon, with high base exchange capacity; Cool, sub-arid to sub-humid plains of prairies

    • Spodosols

    • Histosols

    • Mollisols

    • Vertisols

    Correct Answer
    A. Mollisols
    Explanation
    Mollisols are the correct answer because they are characterized by the accumulation of calcium-rich organic matter, which leads to the formation of a thick and dark A-horizon. Mollisols also have a high base exchange capacity, which means they can retain and supply nutrients to plants. The cool, sub-arid to sub-humid plains of prairies mentioned in the question are a typical environment where Mollisols are found.

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  • 7. 

    Organic soils without permafrost; wetland soils; little profile development because of anaerobic conditions; accumulation of organic matter (thick layers); 

    • Spodosols

    • Histosols

    • Mollisols

    • Oxisols

    Correct Answer
    A. Histosols
    Explanation
    Histosols are the correct answer because they are characterized by the accumulation of organic matter in thick layers. They form in wetland areas with anaerobic conditions, which inhibits profile development. These soils are typically found in areas without permafrost and are rich in organic materials.

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  • 8. 

    New soils; little or no horizon development; varied locations – youth, erosion, aridity

    • Inceptisols

    • Aridisols

    • Entisols

    • Alfisols

    Correct Answer
    A. Entisols
    Explanation
    Entisols are soils that have little or no horizon development, meaning they do not have distinct layers or horizons like other soil types. They are often found in varied locations, including areas with youth (recently formed), erosion, or aridity. These soils are characterized by their lack of profile development, making them different from other soil types such as Inceptisols, Aridisols, and Alfisols.

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  • 9. 

    More weathered than mollisols, less so than spodosols (podzols); Typically soils of deciduous forest or savanna

    • Aridisols

    • Andisols

    • Alfisols

    • Vertisols

    Correct Answer
    A. Alfisols
    Explanation
    Alfisols are the correct answer because they are described as being more weathered than mollisols (grassland soils) but less weathered than spodosols (forest soils). They are typically found in deciduous forests or savannas. This description matches the given information, making Alfisols the most suitable option.

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  • 10. 

    Was this helpful in testing your knowledge?

    • Yes

    • Yes

    • Yes

    • Yes

    Correct Answer
    A. Yes
    Explanation
    The given correct answer is "yes" because the question asks if the information provided was helpful in testing one's knowledge, and the respondent agrees that it was.

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  • 11. 

    Gley is a group of colors that are rich dark brown-black color 

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Washed out grey, pale colors. May include pale blue and green and rust colors

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  • 12. 

    Gleysolic Order is only recognized in Canada 

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    The statement is true because Gleysolic Order is a soil order that is specifically recognized and classified by the Canadian System of Soil Classification. This order refers to soils that have a high level of soil moisture and poor drainage, which is common in many parts of Canada. It is not recognized or classified in other soil classification systems used in different countries, making it exclusive to Canada.

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  • 13. 

    Oxisols are relevant in Canada 

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    humid tropics and subtropics (old soils)

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  • 14. 

    Which surface horizon has a low base saturation (USDA)?

    • Mollic

    • Umbric

    • Ochric

    • Histic

    Correct Answer
    A. Umbric
    Explanation
    Umbric surface horizon has a low base saturation according to USDA. The term "base saturation" refers to the percentage of exchangeable bases in the soil, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. A low base saturation indicates that the soil has a lower concentration of these exchangeable bases. Umbric soil is typically found in areas with high rainfall and leaching, which can result in the removal of these bases from the soil. Therefore, Umbric surface horizon is the correct answer for a surface horizon with low base saturation.

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  • 15. 

    Which USDA soil order has the highest degree of weathering and soil development?

    • Entisols

    • Vertisols

    • Utisols

    • Aridsols

    • Option is not listed

    Correct Answer
    A. Option is not listed
  • 16. 

    Soil Classification is fucking brutal and almost pointless to learn

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    it is

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  • 17. 

    Oxisols and Ultisols are the only USDA orders that do not have CSSC (Canadian) equivalents 

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Oxisols, Ultisols, Andisols have no CSSC equivalents

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  • 18. 

    For USDA nomenclature names grow to the right

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    grow to left - refined or specified by adding "adjectives" to roots

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  • 19. 

    Largest global order; Light coloured (ochric) A horizons

    • Aridisols

    • Andisols

    • Alfisols

    • Vertisols

    Correct Answer
    A. Aridisols
    Explanation
    Aridisols are the correct answer because they are soils that form in arid or semi-arid environments where there is limited water availability. These soils typically have a light colored (ochric) A horizon, which is the uppermost layer of soil. Aridisols are found in regions such as deserts and dry grasslands, where there is low rainfall and high evaporation rates. The light color of the A horizon is a result of mineral leaching due to the lack of water.

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  • 20. 

    List in order the hierarchial classifications for USDA________​________​________​________​________​________ 

    Correct Answer
    Order
    Suborder
    Great Group
    Subgroup
    Family
    Series
    Explanation
    The correct answer is the order, suborder, great group, subgroup, family, and series. This is the hierarchical classification system used by the USDA. The order is the highest level of classification, followed by suborder, great group, subgroup, family, and series. This system allows for the organization and categorization of different species and groups of organisms based on their similarities and differences.

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  • 21. 

    Ultisols are ________ weathered and acidic than Alfisols, but ________ so than Spodosols

    Correct Answer
    more
    less
    Explanation
    Ultisols have a higher degree of soil development than Alfisols but lower than Spodosols

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  • 22. 

    Name the USDA sub-order ________ and order ________ of Haplorthod 

    Correct Answer
    Sub-order = Orthos (true)
    Order = Spodosols
    Explanation
    The correct answer is Spodosols for the order and Orthos for the sub-order. Spodosols are a type of soil order characterized by the accumulation of organic matter and aluminum and iron oxides in the subsoil. Orthos is the correct sub-order within the Spodosols order.

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 21, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Oct 16, 2016
    Quiz Created by
    Bhavdeep03
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