Soils Kendra Simmons

Foundation for all land Biomes. What is soil? Foundation for all land Biomes. It is a mixture of both living and nonliving materials. It contains elements and minerals that are important for (“terrestrial life”) both plants and organisms.

Soil is Classified Divided into horizons O Horizon A Horizon B Horizon C Horizon

Soil is Classified O Horizon Most superficial Contains fallen leaves, grassroots, twigs and other organic material. O horizon is absent in the desserts and agricultural soils.

Soil is Classified A Horizon Top soil Enriched mineral nutrients humus, iron, aluminum silicates and clay. Some organic material from horizon O. clay, sand, silt. Eventually these go

Soil is Classified B Horizon Bands of distinctive colors Decomposed material Plant roots These bands are due to washed down material from the above layers.dedcomposed material give color and deep plant roots are found here. This goes into the last layer

Soil is Classified C Horizon Deepest layer Weathered Parent material Bed rock Frost , weathering form above this all affect this ;layer and the parent material.

Affected by :Organisms & Age Fungi, burrowing animals and plant roots cause speeding up of erosion and materila trasnport. Age of materials in the ground also affect it.

Affected by: Climate & Elevation Temperature: can make the soil rich if the temperature and weather are good. Climate affects weathering on the organic and inorganic materials, the rate of erosion and decomposition. Topographical map shows elevation in a 3d form. Elevation can cause the elements in the soil to decompose faster and like climate erosion.