SOIL Esther Bengio & Catherine Velasquez

Soil Formation Components Profile Taxonomy

What is Soil? Soil is a thin layer of material on the Earths surface which consists of organic and inorganic material weathering rock decayed plant animal matter

Soil Components The Solid part consists of 45% mineral particles and 5% organic matter The Liquid part consists of 25% water and nutrients The Gas part consists of 25% of air

Soil Formation

Microorganisms Earthworms: Structures the soil Increases fertility Decreases erosion Deepens the roots Decaying of microorganisms Makes the soil thick and rich

Soil Characteristics Three basic soil types Sand Silt Clay

Soil Characteristics Clay Silt Sand

Soil Taxonomy Characteristics Texture Looks Feels

How does it affect Life on Earth?

Soil is an important and dynamic resource linked to everything around us and performs many important roles in sustaining life on Earth.

Important Roles of Soil Soil Provides food and biomass production Soil controls and regulates environmental interactions Soil stores gasses such as CO which maintains the balance of temperature & Moisture of our Earth

Continuation Soil also provides valued habitat Soil also provides a platform for buildings and roads Soil provides raw materials such as: Sand, gravel, stones and ore for buildings Moss and coal for heating Soil also preserves cultural and archaeological heritage

Problems with Soil Soil erosion is caused by wind and rain RILL SHEET

Continuation GULLY Mountains

Continuation The clearing of land for farming, residential, and commercial use can quickly destroy soil

Soil Preservation Planting & Vegetation Tilling Farming Method

Continuation Watering the Soil Terracing Salinity Management

Summary Soil characteristics, components and the formation properties affect many processes in the soil that make it suitable for agricultural practices. Texture, structure, and formation and retention of water, air and solids in the soil, are influential to plants growth and organisms. Therefore, understanding and recognizing soil properties and their connections with one another is important for making the right decisions regarding soil use and management.

Conclusion Why did the gardener plant his money?

References 1. Mcknight, Tom L., and Darrel Hess. Physical Geography A Landscape Appreciation. 9th ed. N.p.: Prentice Hall, 2007. Print, October 14, 2013 2. Schmidt, Lisa. "Soil." Schmidt Physical Geography. Wiki Space, n.d. Web, http://schmidtphysicalgeography.wikispaces.com/, October 10, 2013. 3. "Soil Moisture Active Passive." Jet Propulsion Laboratory. NASA, n.d. Web, http://smap.jpl.nasa.gov/, October 11, 2013 4. "Soil." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Oct. 2013. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil, October 24, 2013 5. United States. National Resources Conservation Service. Department of Agriculture. United States Department of Agriculture. N.p., n.d. Web. http://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm, November 10, 2013