Soil Class Notes

Soil Soil is made of out of rocks, dead plants, and animals. Decomposed plants and animal remains add nutrients to the soil.

Soil Soil is formed when rock is weathered by wind, water, and temperature changes, and carried to new places by erosion. As big rocks are weathered they become smaller rocks. Soil texture is determined by the size of particles in the soil.

Soil Sand has larger particles and does not hold water. Clay soil has tiny particles and retains a large amount of water and does not allow plant roots to grow because it is sticky and tightly packed. Soils with humus are rich in nutrients, and support plant life and retain water better than sandy soils. Loam-sand, clay, and humus soils.

Glossary Decompose-to decay or to rot Weathering- when rock is broken down into sediments (small pieces of rock and minerals.) Erosion-when sediments are moved by winds or water. Dirt-another name for soil.