AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Soil Composition and Properties
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 11 cards to help you master important concepts.
How does water holding capacity relate to land productivity?
A soil's ability to retain water directly contributes to its land productivity and fertility.
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How does water holding capacity relate to land productivity?
A soil's ability to retain water directly contributes to its land productivity and fertility.
What is a soil texture triangle?
A soil texture triangle is a diagram that allows for the identification and comparison of soil types based on their percentage of clay, silt, and sand.
What causes properties like water holding capacity to differ between soil types?
Differences in soil properties are caused by variations in particle size and composition within the soil horizons.
What is water holding capacity?
Water holding capacity is the total amount of water that soil can hold. This property varies among different soil types.
What practical decisions can be made using the results from soil property tests?
Testing the chemical, physical, and biological properties of soil can aid in decisions regarding irrigation schedules and fertilizer requirements.
What three soil properties are affected by particle size and composition?
The particle size and composition of soil horizons affect the porosity, permeability, and fertility of the soil.
What are the three components used to classify soil on a soil texture triangle?
The three components used for classification are the percentages of clay, silt, and sand in the soil sample.
How is a soil texture triangle used for comparing soils?
It allows for a standardized comparison of different soil types by plotting their relative percentages of sand, silt, and clay to identify them.
What are the three main categories of soil properties that can be tested?
The three categories of soil properties that can be tested are its chemical, physical, and biological properties.
Define soil fertility.
Soil fertility is the ability of soil to sustain plant growth, which is affected by its particle size, composition, and water retention.
Define soil permeability.
Permeability is a physical property of soil that describes how easily fluids (like water) can pass through it, which is affected by particle size.