Walking along the woods,you spot a lizard that quickly runs under some leaves resting on the forest floor.Looking under the leaves to find the lizard,you notice that the soil is very moist despite several days without rain.This moist soil layer just under the leaves is a result of
A)humus with a high water-holding capacity and reduced evaporative loss in the O horizon.
B)sand with a high water-holding capacity with water supplied from the B and E horizon.
C)low infiltration and high evaporative loss in the B horizon.
D)a low water-holding capacity of the lower soil layers and high evaporation through the top soil layers.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The moist soil layer under the leaves suggests that there is humus with a high water-holding capacity in the O horizon. Humus is an organic matter that has decomposed and is present in the O horizon, which is the topmost soil layer. Humus has a sponge-like texture that can hold water and reduce evaporative loss. This explains why despite several days without rain, the soil is still moist.

Walking Along the Woods,you Spot a Lizard That Quickly Runs