What is Soil? Soil is a thin layer of material on the Earths
surface which consists of organic and inorganic material weathering
rock decayed plant animal matter
Soil Components The Solid part consists of 45% mineral
particles and 5% organic matter The Liquid part consists of 25%
water and nutrients The Gas part consists of 25% of air
Soil Formation
Microorganisms Earthworms: Structures the soil Increases
fertility Decreases erosion Deepens the roots Decaying of
microorganisms Makes the soil thick and rich
Soil Characteristics Three basic soil types Sand Silt Clay
Soil Characteristics Clay Silt Sand
Soil Taxonomy Characteristics Texture Looks Feels
How does it affect Life on Earth?
Soil is an important and dynamic resource linked to everything
around us and performs many important roles in sustaining life on
Earth.
Important Roles of Soil Soil Provides food and biomass
production Soil controls and regulates environmental interactions
Soil stores gasses such as CO which maintains the balance of
temperature & Moisture of our Earth
Continuation Soil also provides valued habitat Soil also
provides a platform for buildings and roads Soil provides raw
materials such as: Sand, gravel, stones and ore for buildings Moss
and coal for heating Soil also preserves cultural and
archaeological heritage
Problems with Soil Soil erosion is caused by wind and rain RILL
SHEET
Continuation GULLY Mountains
Continuation The clearing of land for farming, residential, and
commercial use can quickly destroy soil
Continuation Watering the Soil Terracing Salinity
Management
Summary Soil characteristics, components and the formation
properties affect many processes in the soil that make it suitable
for agricultural practices. Texture, structure, and formation and
retention of water, air and solids in the soil, are influential to
plants growth and organisms. Therefore, understanding and
recognizing soil properties and their connections with one another
is important for making the right decisions regarding soil use and
management.
Conclusion Why did the gardener plant his money?
References 1. Mcknight, Tom L., and Darrel Hess. Physical
Geography A Landscape Appreciation. 9th ed. N.p.: Prentice Hall,
2007. Print, October 14, 2013 2. Schmidt, Lisa. "Soil." Schmidt
Physical Geography. Wiki Space, n.d. Web,
http://schmidtphysicalgeography.wikispaces.com/, October 10, 2013.
3. "Soil Moisture Active Passive." Jet Propulsion Laboratory. NASA,
n.d. Web, http://smap.jpl.nasa.gov/, October 11, 2013 4. "Soil."
Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Oct. 2013. Web. 14 Oct. 2013.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil, October 24, 2013 5. United
States. National Resources Conservation Service. Department of
Agriculture. United States Department of Agriculture. N.p., n.d.
Web. http://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm,
November 10, 2013