What does the "dash" refer to in soil morphology?

The "dash" in the context of soil morphology specifically refers to the blank spaces or boxes used in soil description, especially in the field morphology documentation. It represents areas within a soil profile that may have no information recorded for specific characteristics, indicating observations where particular traits such as color, texture, or other features are either absent or not applicable. This helps in maintaining clarity and organization when documenting various morphological features of the soil profile.

Understanding the soil morphology is critical for soil characterization, and using such standardized notations like the dash allows soil scientists and practitioners to communicate their findings effectively. For example, when describing different horizons in a soil profile, a dash may indicate that the observer could not identify or differentiate that particular horizon based on the standard criteria used in soil description.

The other options do not relate to the specific, standardized terminology used in soil morphology. Soil texture analysis, soil organic matter content, and soil moisture content refer to distinct aspects of soil science but do not encompass the notational elements like the dash that signify absence or non-applicability in the context of soil morphology.