Soil Formation & Evaluation

4. performance in total of a soil based on its physical, chemical and biological attributes
6. movement of water through soil
9. amount of water a soil can hold for plant use
11. process by which water is absorbed into the soil from the ground surface
13. exchange of soil and atmospheric air to maintain oxygen for plants and roots
14. process by which organisms oxidize sugars and derive energy in the form of ATP from the molecular bonds which are broken
16. water which moves through soil due to the force of gravity and is found in macropores
17. process of converting light energy to chemical energy and storing it in the bonds of sugar

1. water which is held in soil against the pull of gravity, yet can be removed by plant uptake or air drying
2. quality of soil and its ability to sustain plant life and provide adequate nutrients
3. rate at which water and air move into and through the soil is affected by the amount, size and arrangement of soil pores
5. void spaces in soil, known as pores, which can be filled with air or water
6. soil moisture content at which plants can no longer obtain enough moisture to meet transpiration requirements, causing the plant to wilt and die
7. substance comprised of decomposed plant and animal residues, microorganisms and partially decayed plant material and microbes which provides structure, greater water holding capacity, diversity and greater nutrient availability to soil
8. quantity and availability of soluble salts in soil
10. mechanical or chemical breaking down of rocks
12. level below which the ground is saturated with water
15. measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a soil