soil

what is soil

The unconsolidated mineral or organic material on the
The unconsolidated mineral on the immediate surface of the Earth that serves as a natural medium
for the growth of land plants.

what does soil have an effect on

environmental factors(water and temperature),microorganism and macrorganisms,

what is layer of soil called and what is the arrangement called?

soil horizons, soil profile

What are some reason that soil is important

Provides fertile medium in which we grow food and fiber

Produces and stores gases like CO2

Maintains temp and stores water

Provides a home for plants, animals, and microorganisms

Filtering water and wastes

Decomposing waste

Provides sources for: makeup, medicine,art,construction

Provides a snapshot of geologic, climatic,biological and human history

What are the things that make up soil

sand, silts,loams,clay

soil properties are influenced by textures that include

-drainage -Susceptibility to erosion

-Water holding capacity -Organic matter content

-Aeration -Cation exchange capacity -pH buffering capacity

What determines the rate at which water can drain through saturated soil

soil texture(water moves more freely through sand compared to clay)

What does soil texture refer to

the size of the particles that make up soil

what is this

soil texture triangle