In a thimble full of soil - about a gram weight - you can expect to find million to 1 billion bacteria - Several yards to several miles of fungi depending on whether you have agricultural or forest soil - Several thousand protozoa and up to several hundred thousand in forest soils- -From ten to several hundred nematodes - Source:

"A nation that destroys its soil destroys itself." - President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1937

A Recipe for Soil Rock/mineral fragments Decayed Organic matter (HUMUS) Air Water

Rock/Mineral fragments are broken down into small particles such as clay, silt, and sand. Humus, a dark-colored substance that forms as plants and animals decay ( organic material).

Composition of Ideal Soil Mineral (weathered rock) = 45% Air = 25% Water = 25% Organic matter (humus) = 5%

Soil texture (how it feels) depends on the particle size in the soil Sand feels coarse and grainy, while clay feels smooth and silky, Silt allows for air to circulate Soil texture is important for plant growth: Sandy soils allow water to quickly drain, so plants may not get enough water Clay soils hold a lot of water, so plants may drown from too much water Silt retains some water Loam is soil with a mixture of sand, silt and clay. It is the best type of soil for most crops

(How does soil form?) soil profile is a vertical section of the soil that is divided into different layers. What is a Soil Profile?

most

Types of soils

Importance of Soil Foundation for roads and structures Home to plants and animals Grow things in it Contains and filters water Helps dispose of waste Basis for recreation areas

Ways to Conserve Soil Plant trees Plant grass Healthy farming Plant gardens to grow crops What else can you do to conserve soil?