Soil

Loam texture is desirable because it has a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay particles, which promotes good soil drainage, nutrient retention, and root penetration. This makes it ideal for plant growth as it provides a healthy balance of water retention and aeration.

Soil with a high percentage of clay tends to have high water retention capacity and can become easily compacted. This can lead to poor drainage and aeration, making it challenging for plant roots to grow properly. Additionally, clay soil tends to have smaller particles, which can result in slower nutrient release and uptake by plants.

Sand, silt, and clay are common types of soil that can be carried or transported by wind. This process, known as wind erosion, can lead to land degradation and create sand dunes in arid regions. It can also transport nutrients and pollutants over long distances.

The soil in a forest is called forest soil. It is usually rich in organic matter like decomposing leaves, twigs, and plant material, which provide nutrients for the plants and organisms living in the forest ecosystem. Forest soil is usually well-draining and supports a diverse range of plant and animal species.

The final layer of soil formed is called the topsoil layer. It is the topmost layer that is rich in organic matter and nutrients, making it crucial for plant growth and agriculture. The topsoil layer is where most of the plant roots are located and where organic materials decompose, enriching the soil further.

The vertical sequence of distinct soil layers is known as soil horizons. The layers are typically labeled as O (organic layer), A (topsoil), E (eluviated layer), B (subsoil), C (parent material), and R (bedrock). This sequence can vary depending on the location and type of soil.

Conservation tillage is the method of soil conservation that relies on minimizing the use of plowing. It involves leaving crop residues on the soil surface to reduce erosion, improve soil health, and enhance water retention. By reducing the intensity of tillage, conservation tillage helps to maintain soil structure and organic matter content in the soil.

I suppose the questions is how you define living and non living... "has ever lived"?

Water is inorganic.

Volcanic Ash may be "new soil". But, many other naturally occurring constituents in the soil have been part of life at one time or another.

Ammonia, Urea, Phosphates, Phosphorous, salts, etc...

There would also be numerous minerals in the soil necessary to promote life.

Even Proteins and carbohydrates might be from formerly living organisms.

Very wet soil increases flooding by limiting the ability of the soil to absorb more water, leading to excess water running off the surface rather than being absorbed. This runoff can overwhelm drainage systems and waterways, causing flooding in nearby areas. The saturation of the soil also reduces the soil's ability to hold additional water, exacerbating the flooding risk.

Nonliving environmental factors such as soil, water, and climate play a vital role in shaping ecosystems. These factors can influence the types of organisms that can survive in an area, as well as their distribution and abundance. They form the physical foundation on which living organisms rely to thrive and interact within an ecosystem.

Cotton needs a soil texture that drains well and will not upset nutrient balances. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reports that cotton prefers a lighter, sandier soil that is not particularly high in organic matter content. Soil organics add nutrients to soils, and soils with marginal to low sand content are usually very moist soils. Lighter, sandier soils with low organic content drain quickly but retain the nutrient base cotton desires. I hope that what I found will help1

The parent material horizon, also known as C horizon, is chemically most similar to the underlying bedrock or unaltered sediment. This horizon is largely unaffected by the processes of soil formation and represents the original material from which the soil developed over time.

By regularly doing soil tests and using the results of the tests farmers can regulate the fertility of the soil. In some cases this could be through applying fertilizer, rotating livestock, and even leaving ground cover to increase organic matter.

All types of soil are composed of three basic ingredients: silt, clay, and sand. Additionally, many soils have a layer of humus which is organic material. Different proportions of each are what make different soils have the characteristics that they have. For example, loam, considered to be one of the richest types of soil, is composed of a specific combination of silt, clay, sand, and humus, giving it its characteristics that make it favorable for growing.

When lava and ash cool down it can decompose making soil. Most of the time it is very black because it is so rich and fertile. That is why the people on Hawaii live so close to a volcano, for the rich soil.

Different types of soil include sandy, silty, clay, and alkaline. Root vegetables, such as carrots, beets, potatoes, and radishes grow well in sand. Silty, loamy soils are ideal for growing most vegetables and flowers. The plants get nutrition from the rich soil. Corn, squash, pumpkins, and okra do well in clay soil. Alkaline soils are difficult for gardeners to produce crops in, but beets, cabbage, and carrots are crops that do well in alkaline soil.

This is called a landslide. Landslides occur when the force of gravity exceeds the strength of the rock or soil, causing them to move downhill. They can be triggered by heavy rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or human activities like deforestation.

Erosion refers to the process of wearing away of rock or soil by natural elements such as wind, water, or ice. It can create features like canyons, valleys, and beaches over time. Human activities can accelerate erosion through deforestation, construction, and improper land management.

Loamy soils, which are a mixture of sand, silt, and clay, are generally considered the best for growing crops because they have good drainage and water retention capabilities. These soils provide a balanced environment for plant roots to access nutrients and oxygen. Additionally, well-draining soils help prevent waterlogging, which can harm plant roots.

Arctic tundra soil is predominantly composed of permafrost, which is a permanently frozen layer of soil beneath the surface. This soil is nutrient-poor and has a high organic content due to the slow decomposition of plant material in the cold environment.

Conservation tillage, crop rotation, cover cropping, contour farming, and terracing are farming methods that help conserve soil. These practices help reduce erosion, improve soil health, and minimize the use of conventional tillage methods that can lead to soil degradation.

Sandy soil holds the least amount of water because it has larger particles which allow water to drain quickly, leading to low water retention.

An angular unconformity is formed when older tilted or folded rock layers are eroded, creating a flat surface, and then new horizontal layers are deposited on top. This type of geologic event typically involves periods of uplift, tilting, and erosion followed by subsidence and deposition.

Heavy rainfall can accelerate erosion because the intensity of the rainfall can increase the volume and speed of runoff water, leading to more powerful erosion of soil and sediment. The fast-flowing water can wash away loose particles, break up the soil structure, and create gullies, which can cause significant erosion over time.

The red color of the soil in central Australia is due to its high iron oxide content, specifically hematite. Over time, the iron in the soil undergoes a process called oxidation, which causes it to rust and turn the soil red. This process, coupled with the arid climate and lack of vegetation, contributes to the distinct red color of the soil in this region.