Preview:
‘Discuss the importance of soil as a water and carbon store’ – 20 mark
Soil is a mixture of nutrients, minerals, organic matter and gases. The
water and carbon cycle depend on soil as it acts as a store. Examples
of soils include peat (found in Whixall Moss, Shropshire), and loam
(found in Iowa, USA). The importance of soils in temperate
grasslands and tropical rainforests will also be discussed below.
Temperate grasslands are found in two main locations: between
30degrees and 50degrees North of the equator and the leeward side of
mountains due to the rise of rain shadows. The climate includes hot
wetter summers and dry cold winters. The soil in temperate grasslands
is a big component because biomass is smaller due to restricted
growth of trees. Tree growth is restricted because of grazing animals,
fires and lack of rainfall. This is also an example of deflected
succession. This limits photosynthesis which in consequence limits
CO2 intake. Soils here are fertile and bound together by deep root
systems of perennial grasses. Below the ground there are also a lot of
earthworms which consume dead organic matter which then release
carbon into the soil.
‘Discuss the importance of soil as a water and carbon store’ – 20 mark
Soil is a mixture of nutrients, minerals, organic matter and gases. The
water and carbon cycle depend on soil as it acts as a store. Examples
of soils include peat (found in Whixall Moss, Shropshire), and loam
(found in Iowa, USA). The importance of soils in temperate
grasslands and tropical rainforests will also be discussed below.
Temperate grasslands are found in two main locations: between
30degrees and 50degrees North of the equator and the leeward side of
mountains due to the rise of rain shadows. The climate includes hot
wetter summers and dry cold winters. The soil in temperate grasslands
is a big component because biomass is smaller due to restricted
growth of trees. Tree growth is restricted because of grazing animals,
fires and lack of rainfall. This is also an example of deflected
succession. This limits photosynthesis which in consequence limits
CO2 intake. Soils here are fertile and bound together by deep root
systems of perennial grasses. Below the ground there are also a lot of
earthworms which consume dead organic matter which then release
carbon into the soil.
