- A It is sometimes thought to exert little measurable influence on either plant or animal life present in most textbook accounts
- B It determines water-holding capacity and aeration, which affect the type of vegetation and organisms present
- C It mainly influences the superficial, visible colour of the topmost surface soil layer during normal conditions
- D It is sometimes thought to directly determine the ambient temperature of the surrounding atmosphere as generally observed
Correct answer: B. It determines water-holding capacity and aeration, which affect the type of vegetation and organisms present
Explanation: Soil porosity, determined by grain size and aggregation, affects water-holding capacity and aeration of the soil, which in turn influences the vegetation and organisms that can thrive there.
Concept context
How organisms interact with abiotic factors and respond to stress, plus population attributes, growth models, and interspecific interactions such as predation, competition, and mutualism.