the nature of soil soil- a mixture of weathered rock, decayed organic matter, mineral fragments,...

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The Nature of Soil Soil- a mixture of weathered rock, decayed organic matter, mineral fragments, water and air Healthy Soil?

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Page 1: The Nature of Soil Soil- a mixture of weathered rock, decayed organic matter, mineral fragments, water and air

The Nature of Soil

Soil- a mixture of weathered rock, decayed organic matter, mineral

fragments, water and air

Healthy Soil?

Page 2: The Nature of Soil Soil- a mixture of weathered rock, decayed organic matter, mineral fragments, water and air

Factors that Affect Soil Formation

• Climate• Slope of the land• Types of rock• Types of vegetation• Amount of time the rock has been weathered

Page 3: The Nature of Soil Soil- a mixture of weathered rock, decayed organic matter, mineral fragments, water and air

Soil has small sediments

• Clay• Silt• sand

Page 4: The Nature of Soil Soil- a mixture of weathered rock, decayed organic matter, mineral fragments, water and air

Humus

• Decayed plants• Decayed animals• Dark color• Good soil has equal amount of humus &

weathered rock

Page 5: The Nature of Soil Soil- a mixture of weathered rock, decayed organic matter, mineral fragments, water and air

Soil Profile

• Different layers of soil• Usually distinguishable by the color difference• Most soils have three main horizons that we

label Horizon A, Horizon B, & Horizon C

Page 6: The Nature of Soil Soil- a mixture of weathered rock, decayed organic matter, mineral fragments, water and air

A Horizon

• Top layer of soil• Could contain litter• We call it the topsoil• Usually dark in color- know why?

Page 7: The Nature of Soil Soil- a mixture of weathered rock, decayed organic matter, mineral fragments, water and air

B Horizon

• Less organic matter• Lighter in color than A• Less fertile• Contains material from leaching

Page 8: The Nature of Soil Soil- a mixture of weathered rock, decayed organic matter, mineral fragments, water and air

C Horizon

• Consists mostly of weathered rock• At the bottom of a soil profile• It is often the thickest layer• Not much organic matter at all• Parent rock is found here

Page 9: The Nature of Soil Soil- a mixture of weathered rock, decayed organic matter, mineral fragments, water and air

Soil Profiling

• Watch here to see a real life profile

• Do a soil test

Page 10: The Nature of Soil Soil- a mixture of weathered rock, decayed organic matter, mineral fragments, water and air

Charlotte TrotterVian Middle School