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| Loose, weathered rock and organic material in which plants with roots can grow. |
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| The rock material from which a soil is formed. |
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| Soil whose parent material is the local bedrock beneath it. |
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| Soil that formed from parent material left by winds, rivers, or glaciers or soil that itself was moved from its original location. |
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| Decaying plant and animal remains. |
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| A term that refers to soils that have had a long time to form. |
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| A cross section of soil layers that displays all soil horizons. |
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| A soil layer with physical and chemical properties that differ from those of adjacent soil layers. |
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| The A-horizon of soil; contains organic material, or humus, that forms from decayed plant and animal materials. |
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| Organic material that forms from decayed plant and animal materials. |
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| The B-horizon of soil; contains clay and iron oxides washed from the topsoil. |
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| Made of slightly weathered parent material, such as rock fragments. |
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| Forms in the cold climates found at high latitudes and very high elevations. Because of the cold climate, rock materials weather more slowly. As a result, soil profiles are shallow. |
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| Forms in regions with temperate climates that receive enough rain to support grass, but not heavy tree growth. The soil is often fertile for farming. |
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| Forms in temperate regions that receive enough rain to support heavy tree growth. The soil is often fertile for farming. |
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| Forms in dry tropical regions that are consistently warm year-round and have both wet and dry seasons. Because of the hot, wet climate, rock materials weather quickly. As a result, the soil profile is deep. |
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| Forms in humid tropical regions where the temperature is consistently warm and rainy year-round. Because of the climate, rock materials weather quickly, and the soil profile is deep. |
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| Forms in regions with little or no rainfall. Because of the lack of moisture, vegetation is limited, contributing to wind erosion. Generally sandy. |
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| A method used to clear forested land quickly for agricultural use. Small sections of forest are choppsed down and trees are burned. |
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| A system where different trees and plant crops are planted to help restore nutrients to soil. Then, the plot lies fallow. |
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