New Geography in Action Junior Cycle Geography Gley soils
Gley soils are grey in colour. They develop where the bedrock, or the clay above it, is impermeable. They are sticky and waterlogged. This makes it difficult to grow crops on the land and so it is used only for pastoral farming.
Peaty soils
Peaty soils are dark in colour. They develop in cold, upland areas with high rainfall, and lowland areas with poor drainage. These soils are waterlogged and full of organic matter that has not broken down. They are a valuable source of fuel and are found in blanket and raised bogs.
NUMERACY ACT VITY Work in groups of four and do the following:
(a) Fill a third of a glass jar with soil from your area. Break up any big clumps.
(b) Add water slowly and fill the jar until three quarters of the jar is full.
(c) Put the lid on and make sure it is secured tightly.
(d) Shake the jar and allow it to sit for a few days. What does it look like?
(e) Measure the depth of the soil in the jar. Then measure each layer. Work out the percentage of each layer.
(f) Check the diagram (Figure 16.3) on page 286 to see what soil type it is.
Did you correctly guess what soil type was in your area when you did the first activity in this chapter?
ACT VITY
Draw a table in your copybook, and use it to show the main differences between brown earths and podzol soils. Use the following headings: colour; texture; particle size; material present; location; what the soil is used for. Make sure you remember these differences!
(i) What is the most common soil type in Ireland? (ii) Explain two differences between brown earth soils and podzol soils. (iii) Where in Ireland could you expect to find peaty soils? (iv) Which soil type is most suitable for farming? Why?
/ I understand the various types of soil found in Ireland. : Figure 16.14 Peaty soil PORTFOLIO ACT VITY 16.1
Go to page 64 of your Portfolio to complete the Soil Investigation activity.
