The Top Layer of the Earth

All About Soil

What is soil?

Soil is made up of: •Rocks•Minerals •Water•Air•Humus (remains of dead plants and animals)

Why is soil so important?

• Many types of animals live in the soil

• Decomposers in the soil help turn dead plants and animals into humus.

• Humus contains the nutrients that plants need to grow.

• It is a cycle!

The Cycle of Nutrients…

Quiz Question!

What is humus?

•A) a decomposer in the soil•B) the remains of dead plants and animals•C) a type of rock •D) an animal that lives in the soil

Quiz Question!

What is humus?

•A) a decomposer in the soil•B) the remains of dead plants and animals•C) a type of rock •D) an animal that lives in the soil

Layers of the Soil

• http://www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resource/Soil-Profile-Structure-Layers-6212609/

Topsoil

Subsoil

Bedrock

Types of Soil

FERTILE

•Fertile soil has lots of humus and water.•Many plants grow well in fertile soil.

Deciduous Forest

Types of Soil

POOR

•Poor soil has little humus and water. •It has more rocks •Only hardy plants such as OLIVE TREES grow well.

Savannah

Types of Soil

ARID

•Arid soil has very little humus and water.•It has lots of rocks or sand•Only very hardy plants can grow in arid soil, such as a Cactus

Desert