The Truth about Soil and Soil Conservation

Section 1: Vocabulary Soil: a loose mixture of small minerals pieces, organic material, water, and air. It also contains weathered rock. Bedrock: the layer of rock beneath the soil Soil Texture: describes the amounts of soil particles of different sizes that a soil contains.

Soil Structure: describes the arrangement of particles in a soil. Soil Fertility: the ability of soil to hold nutrients and to supply nutrients to plants Humus: organic material that forms in forms from the remains of plants and animals

Horizon: the horizontal layers in which soil forms Topsoil: the top layer of soil that is rich in nutrients Leaching: this happens when water dissolves nutrients as it passes through the soil

Soil Conservation: protecting soil from erosion and nutrient loss Soil Conservation: protecting soil from erosion and nutrient loss. It can help to keep soils fertile and healthy. Erosion: happens when wind, water, or gravity transport soil and sediment from one place to another.

Extra vocab words you need to know: Parent rock: the rock that breaks down and forms a soil. Different parent rocks are made of different chemicals and so is the soil that forms these rocks. Transported soil: soil that has been removed from its parent rock Residual rock: soil that remains in place above its parent rock Soil consistency: how easily a soil can be broken for farming.

Section 3: What are the three properties of soil? Soil texture, soil structure, and soil fertility are the 3 properties of soil

How does the soil pH affect plant growth? The pH of a soil affects how nutrients dissolve in the soil. If the soil has a low pH level (acidic) or to basic pH level the soil fertility can be strongly affected. Plants grow best in a neutral pH level.

What determines a soil texture? The soil texture is determined by the different sizes of the particles that make up the soil.

Name three things that are found in soil? Small mineral pieces, weathered rock, organic material, water and air are found in soil.

Which type of soil contains the most nutrients? The soil that contains the most nutrients is humus.

Section 4 A: Define soil conservation. Soil conservation means protecting soils from erosion and nutrient loss. It can help keep soils fertile and healthy.

B: List 2 reason why soil is important 1: Soil is important for storing water. 2: It provides a home (habitat) for many living things 3: Soil allows nutrients for plants to grow so animals can get their energy.

C: How can soil be lost? 1: One cause is soil damage. This happens when soil is overused. 2: Another way is by deforestation. This occurs when plants don’t grow and the area becomes a desert.

D: Why is removing vegetation destructive? Removing vegetation can cause an increased risk of erosion and a loss of important nutrients found in the soil.

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