Chapter 11 Objectives

• Describe the position, composition, and ecological function of each horizon in a soil profile.
• Explain the components and properties of soil texture.
• Classify the important soil nutrients, and describe how their availability to plants is controlled by soil pH.
• Discuss how agricultural practices encourage erosion and salinization and contribute to soil degradation.
• Outline the methods, benefits, and drawbacks of common soil conservation strategies.