Introduction to Soils | Soil & Water - The Basis of Life

What is the role of soils in supporting life on earth?

provide support, water, and nutrients to plants

plants change solar energy into a form usable by living organisms

What are the 6 main functions of soils?

support vegetation, regulate water, recycle C & nutrients, regulate atm gases, habitat, engineering medium

vegetation, water, recycling, gases, habitat, engineering

How do soils support vegetation?

anchorage, store water, root insulation, provide nutrients

What is the key phrase for the essential mineral nutrients?

CB HOPKiNS CaFe, Mighty Good! Closed Monday Morning & Night. C u Zoon!

carbon, boron, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, sulfur, calcium, iron, magnesium, chlorine, manganese, molybdenum, nickle, copper, zinc

How do soils regulate water?

filtration, storage medium

How do soils recycle carbon & other nutrients?

microbes turn organics to humus, nutrients available for plant use

How do soils regulate atmospheric gases?