PEDOSPHERE

1. Extend – the
pedosphere includes the upper unconsolidated layer of the
ground consisting of weathered rocks and hummus
2. Principle components of soils:
a) Mineral matter – from weathering of bedrock.
b)Organic matter – it is derived principally from
the decaying dead organisms
c)Water
d)Air
3. Soil formation
4. Soil properties
a)Thickness
b)Color
c)Fertility
4. Soil classification
A) Zonal soils
a) From the equator to the poles
- laterite
- reddish-brown
- grey desert soils
- chestnut and cinnamon
- chernozems
brown soils
podzols
-hydromorphic
b) From foothills to mountain tops ( altitudinal soils)
B) Azonal soils
a) Alluvial
b) Salty
Climatic zones and their correspondent
soils
CLIMATIC ZONE / КЛИМАТИЧЕН SOIL TYPE / ПОЧВЕН ТИП
ПОЯС
equatorial / екваториален laterite / латеритни
subequatorial
tropical
subtropical
temperate chernozems

subarctic
arctic
BIOSPHERE
 I. Essence of the biosphere:
This part of the Earth which is populated by
organisms. It occupies the lowest layer of the
atmosphere, the whole hydrosphere and the upper
layer of the lithosphere.
II. Ecosystems and biomes:
1. The ecosystem (natural zone) is a community of
plants and animals within a particular physical
environment
2. The biome (natural belt) is a naturally occurring
community of life forms which are adapted to definite
climatic type
 III. Zonality and azonality
1. Zonality is the changing of the ecosystems in the
direction from equator to the poles and also in height
a) Width zonality (latitude)
b) Height zonality (altitude)
2. Azonality is typical for some of ecosystems
V. Climatic zones and their correspondent ecosystems:
Natural Climatic Natural zones Soil types
belts characteristics (ecosystems)
(biomes) (seasons,
temperature,
humidity)
Equatorial rainforests
Savanna
Tropical deserts
Tropical seasonal
forests

Evergreen forests and

shrubs
Steppes and forest
steppes
Deciduous forests
Taiga
Tundra

Ice desert