Uppermost layer of earth's crust (Lithosphere) that supports plants, anim
Soil
and microbes.
Weathering of parent material (underlying geological material) in which
Soil Forming Factors
layers (horizons) form.
The long-term pattern of rainfall and temperature that governs the rate
Climate
soil formation and the type of soil that will form.
Desert areas have very slow soil formation, while temperate areas have
Desert vs Temperate Areas
rapid soil formation.
Typical soil consists of 45% mineral particles, 5% organic material, 25%
Soil Composition
water, and 25% air.
Organic Material Includes litter, animal dung, dead remains of plants and animals, and hu
Black organic matter remaining after most decomposition; a collective n
Humus
for many different organic compounds.
50% of soil, which includes soil air for aeration and soil water that provid
Pore Space
water to roots.
Soil Organisms There are millions of microorganisms in 1 tsp of fertile agricultural soil.
Bioremediation Breakdown of toxic materials by soil microbes.
, Organic matter in the soil is broken down by decomposers into compo
Nutrient Cycling
nutrients that are absorbed by plants.
From the gut of earthworms (worm poop); help with aeration and water
Worm Castings
movement.
A symbiotic association between a fungus and the roots of a vascular h
Mycorrhizae
plant, very important to the growth of many vascular plants.
Soil contains microorganisms, decaying organic matter, earthworms, an
Soil vs Dirt
other insects; it is a living environment.
Basically dead soil that does not contain microorganisms, decaying org
Dirt
matter, earthworms, or other insects.
Soil Texture Relative proportion of sand, silt and clay.
Sand Particles ranging from 2mm to 0.05mm.
Silt Particles ranging from 0.05mm to 0.002mm.
Clay Particles smaller than 0.002mm.
Coarse Textured Soil Soil that has excellent drainage.
Soil that has poor drainage and low oxygen levels due to a high clay
Fine Textured Soil
content.
Soil
and microbes.
Weathering of parent material (underlying geological material) in which
Soil Forming Factors
layers (horizons) form.
The long-term pattern of rainfall and temperature that governs the rate
Climate
soil formation and the type of soil that will form.
Desert areas have very slow soil formation, while temperate areas have
Desert vs Temperate Areas
rapid soil formation.
Typical soil consists of 45% mineral particles, 5% organic material, 25%
Soil Composition
water, and 25% air.
Organic Material Includes litter, animal dung, dead remains of plants and animals, and hu
Black organic matter remaining after most decomposition; a collective n
Humus
for many different organic compounds.
50% of soil, which includes soil air for aeration and soil water that provid
Pore Space
water to roots.
Soil Organisms There are millions of microorganisms in 1 tsp of fertile agricultural soil.
Bioremediation Breakdown of toxic materials by soil microbes.
, Organic matter in the soil is broken down by decomposers into compo
Nutrient Cycling
nutrients that are absorbed by plants.
From the gut of earthworms (worm poop); help with aeration and water
Worm Castings
movement.
A symbiotic association between a fungus and the roots of a vascular h
Mycorrhizae
plant, very important to the growth of many vascular plants.
Soil contains microorganisms, decaying organic matter, earthworms, an
Soil vs Dirt
other insects; it is a living environment.
Basically dead soil that does not contain microorganisms, decaying org
Dirt
matter, earthworms, or other insects.
Soil Texture Relative proportion of sand, silt and clay.
Sand Particles ranging from 2mm to 0.05mm.
Silt Particles ranging from 0.05mm to 0.002mm.
Clay Particles smaller than 0.002mm.
Coarse Textured Soil Soil that has excellent drainage.
Soil that has poor drainage and low oxygen levels due to a high clay
Fine Textured Soil
content.
