Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Trees
Sagebrush
Short grass
Tall grass
Aridisols
Mollisols
Alfisols
A
E
B
C
A
Accumulation of
carbonate minerals
B
C
West:
Cool, dry climate
East:
Cool, moist climate
Figure 11.32 Midcontinent soil transect in the United States.
The change in soil characteristics is reflected by
soil order, from central Nevada in the west to Ohio in the east. (
Source:
Modified from C. E. Millar, L. M. Turk, and
H. D. Foth,
Fundamentals of Soil Science
. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1990.)
North American Climate, Vegetation, and Soils
At this point, you should have a basic understanding of midlati-
tude soil orders and where they occur. In this context, it's a good
time to review these relationships by going to the
Geo Media
Library
and selecting
North American Climate, Vegetation,
and Soils
. This contains a brief animation that illustrates how
these variables are interrelated with one another to form a geo-
graphically distinct landscape. As you watch the animation, be
sure to pay attention to the geographic patterns and their simi-
larities. Once you complete the animation, be sure to answer the
questions at the end to test your understanding of this concept.
