Natural ResourcesConservation Service
Helping People Help the Land
Introduction Introduction to Soilto Soil
Do NowDo Now
1.1. Write down what you Write down what you think the difference is think the difference is between soil and dirtbetween soil and dirt
2.2. List as many reasons List as many reasons you can think of why you can think of why soil is importantsoil is important
Careers in Soil ScienceCareers in Soil Science
Soil and Plant Soil and Plant Scientists from Scientists from
Careers.orgCareers.org
SOILSOIL
Traditional definition: Traditional definition: Material which nourishes Material which nourishes and supports growing and supports growing plants; foundation of every plants; foundation of every living thingliving thing
DirtDirt
Soil out of place and unable to serve Soil out of place and unable to serve it’s purposeit’s purpose
Importance of SoilImportance of Soil
Foundation for roads and structuresFoundation for roads and structures Home to plants and animalsHome to plants and animals Grow things in itGrow things in it Contains and filters waterContains and filters water Helps dispose of wasteHelps dispose of waste Basis for recreation areasBasis for recreation areas
Soils Perform Several Vital FunctionsSoils Perform Several Vital FunctionsSustaining plant and Sustaining plant and animal life below and animal life below and above the surfaceabove the surface
Regulating and Regulating and partitioning water and partitioning water and
solute flowsolute flow
Filtering, buffering, Filtering, buffering, degrading, immobilizing, degrading, immobilizing, and detoxifyingand detoxifying
Storing and cycling Storing and cycling nutrientsnutrients
Providing support to Providing support to structuresstructures
SOILSOIL
Mixture of Mixture of mineral matter, mineral matter, organic matter, organic matter, water, and air.water, and air.
Properties of soilProperties of soil
Air 25%
Mineral Matter 45%
Water 25%
Organic Matter 5%
SOIL COMPONENTSSOIL COMPONENTS
3 Fractions of Mineral Matter3 Fractions of Mineral Matter
SandSand
SiltSilt
ClayClay
USDA Textural TriangleUSDA Textural Triangle