SOIL Unit 2 Environmental Science Mrs. Fleming
Soil provides support and nutrients for plant growth
EROSION is the movement of sediment and rock to new places.
Weathering breaks down rocks to create soil. It can be caused by weather, water, or living things
There are five components of soil: 1. Rock 2. Sand 3. Silt 4. Clay 5. Humus Can you match each type of soil to its picture?
Rock Rock is solid and made of minerals
Sand Sand is tiny grains of worn down rock. It doesn’t hold water or have many nutrients.
Silt Silt is very small, broken pieces of rock. It is larger than clay, but smaller than sand. It is powdery when dry. Sand Silt Clay (smaller particles)(larger particles)
CLAY Clay holds water well. It is sticky and can be shaped when it is wet. But, it is very hard when dry. Clay has many nutrients. Clay is used for adobe or brick houses.
Humus Humus is made of leaves, twigs, small animals, or other decayed substances. Humus adds many nutrients to the soil. Humus is in the topsoil.
3 Layers of Soil 1.Topsoil (The layer on TOP) 2.Subsoil (The prefix SUB means under) 3.Bedrock (It’s hard as rock down there!)
Natural Resources Made by NATURE Cannot be replaced Must be conserved (saved)!
Ways to Conserve Soil Plant trees Plant grass Healthy farming Plant gardens to grow crops What else can you do to conserve soil?
Different soil types develop in different climates. Soils-4-1 Image: T. Loynachan
Prairie soils have a dark surface layer (horizon), are rich in minerals, and form in grasslands widespread across Earth’s middle latitudes. Soils-4-2 Images: NRCS
Forest soils have a light gray upper horizon, a horizon rich in aluminum and/or iron, and form in warm to cool humid regions where coniferous forests grow. Soils-4-3 Image: Bruce Molnia Image: Soil Classifiers of Michigan
Tropical soils are reddish and iron- oxide rich, depleted in nutrients, and form in humid and warm regions. Soils-4-4 Images: National Cooperative Soil Survey, University of Nebraska
Organic soils are dark colored, rich in decomposed organic matter, and form in poorly drained lowlands such as swamps and wetlands. Soils-4-5 Images: Bruce Molnia, Soil Classifiers of Michigan
Desert soils form in arid settings and are commonly rich in calcium carbonate. Soils-4-6 Images: Martin Miller, NRCS
Tundra soils form in Arctic environments, have a dark organic-rich upper layer, and a mineral rich layer over frozen ground. Soils-4-7 Images: Travis Hudson, Alaska/Yukon Society of Professional Soil Scientists
Different soil types develop in different climates. Soils-4-8 Image: Image: T. Loynachan
Soil Horizons Mrs. Fleming
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