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SOILS AND NATURAL VEGETATION Chapter 13 The Soil Base - MOMA Mineral Organic Materials Humus: dead plant and animal matter Moisture Come from rocks Become part of the soil when the rock is broken down by weathering Calcium, potassium, phosphorous 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 Canada N Vegetation Regions Yukon Territory Northwest Territories T undra West Coast Forest Boreal Forest Broad-leaved Forest Grassland Mixed Forest Parkland Cordilleran Vegetation Nunavut Quebec Manitoba Alberta Ontario Tundra Types of Natural Vegetation Shrubs, Temperature Characteristics Cold, short growing seasons Precipitation Characteristics Very mosses, lichens, small flowers 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 Temperature Characteristics Cold, short growing seasons Precipitation Characteristics Rain trees: black spruce, balsam fir, pine 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 Temperature Characteristics Cold winds and harsh climate. Warm summers. Precipitation Characteristics Regular and deciduous trees, and small shrubs 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 Temperature Characteristics Long, hot summers, with mild winters Precipitation Characteristics Deciduous trees, 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, Temperature Characteristics Very dry Precipitation Characteristics Little sagebrush, cactus 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 Temperature Characteristics Mild climate Precipitation Characteristics Lush forests of Douglas firs, sitka spruce, red cedars, and hemlocks Heavy rainfall Soil Characteristics Excellent growing conditions Lots of humus but also strong leeching effect which causes minerals to be deep in the soil
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