SoilSoil
is a mixture of weathered rock, is a mixture of weathered rock, decayed organic matter, mineral decayed organic matter, mineral fragments, water, and airfragments, water, and air
Formation is influenced by climate, Formation is influenced by climate, slope, type of rock, types of slope, type of rock, types of vegetation, and length of time that vegetation, and length of time that the rock has been weatheringthe rock has been weathering
Composition of soilComposition of soil
The ingredients that make up soilThe ingredients that make up soil
1. Clay, silt, and sand are small 1. Clay, silt, and sand are small particles particles of sedimentof sediment
2. Decaying, dark-colored plant and 2. Decaying, dark-colored plant and animal material is called humusanimal material is called humus
3. Small spaces between soil 3. Small spaces between soil particles particles may be filled with air or may be filled with air or waterwater
Horizon OHorizon O Top layer of vegetation and organic Top layer of vegetation and organic
mattermatter
1. Horizon A – Top layer of soil1. Horizon A – Top layer of soil
May be covered with May be covered with organic litter that may organic litter that may turn into humusturn into humus
Fertile layer with more Fertile layer with more humus and less rock humus and less rock and mineral particles and mineral particles than other soil horizonsthan other soil horizons
2. Horizon B – middle soil layer2. Horizon B – middle soil layer
Contains less humus and is lighter in Contains less humus and is lighter in color than A horizoncolor than A horizon
Minerals travel from horizon A to B Minerals travel from horizon A to B horizon in a process called leachinghorizon in a process called leaching
Horizon C – bottom soil layerHorizon C – bottom soil layer
Has very little organic matter and is Has very little organic matter and is not strongly affected by leachingnot strongly affected by leaching
Contains rock – the parent material Contains rock – the parent material from the soilfrom the soil
Glaciers can deposit soil that did not Glaciers can deposit soil that did not form from the bedrock beneath itform from the bedrock beneath it
Different regions have different Different regions have different climates that affect soil climates that affect soil
developmentdevelopment
Parent rock affects soil formation Parent rock affects soil formation and type of vegetation that grows in and type of vegetation that grows in
a regiona region
Time affects soil development Time affects soil development because the longer the weathering because the longer the weathering has occurred, the less the soil has occurred, the less the soil resembles parent rockresembles parent rock
Soil erosion or loss is important Soil erosion or loss is important because plants do not grow as well because plants do not grow as well when topsoil is lost.when topsoil is lost.
Causes and Effects of Soil Erosion:Causes and Effects of Soil Erosion:Many human activities disturb the Many human activities disturb the natural balance between soil natural balance between soil production and soil erosion.production and soil erosion.
Agricultural CultivationAgricultural Cultivation
Increased farming removes the plant Increased farming removes the plant cover, leaving soils open to wind and cover, leaving soils open to wind and water erosion.water erosion.
Forest HarvestingForest Harvesting Removes forest vegetation which Removes forest vegetation which
increases erosion and particularly increases erosion and particularly damages tropical rain forest soildamages tropical rain forest soil
OvergrazingOvergrazing Results when animals graze Results when animals graze until almost all ground cover until almost all ground cover disappearsdisappears
Excess SedimentExcess Sediment Can damage the Can damage the
environment environment when soil erosion when soil erosion is severeis severe
Preventing Soil ErosionPreventing Soil Erosion
Soil must be protected / conservedSoil must be protected / conserved
Manage CropsManage Crops
Farmers plant shelter belts of trees Farmers plant shelter belts of trees to break the force of the windto break the force of the wind
Bare soil can be covered with Bare soil can be covered with decaying plants to hold soil in placedecaying plants to hold soil in place
Farmers can graze animals on Farmers can graze animals on vegetation instead of plowing it vegetation instead of plowing it underunder
Reduce Erosion On SlopesReduce Erosion On Slopes
Contour farming reduces soil erosion Contour farming reduces soil erosion by planting along the contours of by planting along the contours of slopesslopes
Terracing creates steep-sided flat Terracing creates steep-sided flat areas for crops on the sides of hills areas for crops on the sides of hills and mountainsand mountains
Reduce erosion of exposed soilReduce erosion of exposed soil
Water sprayed onto bare soil to Water sprayed onto bare soil to reduce wind erosionreduce wind erosion