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Soil
Soil, by definition, is a earthly compound comprised of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) matter that is formed in several layers over millions of years. It is the very component of the Earth that plants need to root themselves and grow in in order to feed all animal life. There are many different types of soil across the globe for each continent and biome, and each type has its characteristics that depict what plants can grow where, when, and how. Questions and answers about soil can be asked and answered here.
10,730 Questions
What are the two major parts of soil?
Soil, is made from rocks that break apart or wear away over many years. This is referred to as weathering. It may take 100 to 1,000 years for 1 cm of soil to form through weathering. Soil also contains air, water, and humus, the decayed remains of dead animals and plants.
Soil can actually be separated into 5 main parts. They are:
Humus: A dark, moist soil composed of bits of dead, rotting insects, animals, leaves, roots, sticks, and food. Humus adds nutrients to the soil which plants need to grow and live.
Clay: A soil that holds water. When wet, clay feels slippery and slimy. It is made of particles that are smaller than 0.004 millimeters.
Silt: Soil that looks like fine grains or tiny pieces of rock. Particles classified as silt measure from 0.004 millimeters to 0.006 millimeters.
Sand: Soil that is coarse and drains quickly. Sand particles measure from about 0.006 millimeters to 2.00 millimeters.
Gravel: Visible rock particles, sometimes referred to as pebbles.
The vast majority of all organisms living in the soil are "good guys," helping to:
Decompose organic matter
Release nutrients
Create waterways
Aid plant growth
Aggregate soil
Provide us with life-saving antibiotics
Because nature does not always provide the best type of soil for the crops farmers want to grow, they plow , add fertilizers, and irrigate to help the good microorganisms create a healthier growing environment. Scientists are using Global Positioning Systems technology to map and analyze soil in the field so that farmers apply just the right amount of water and fertilizer.
While most organisms in the soil are good, a few are bad and can hurt crops.
One "bad guy" is a fungi called Cercospora Beticola
that attacks sugar beets. At the Northern Plains research lab in Sidney, MT, scientists are studying ways to fight C. beticola using "friendly fungi" that lives in the soil. These friendly fungi - called Laetisaria arvalis - release an enzyme that prevents C. beticola from getting the food it needs, essentially starving the bad fungi and preventing the disease from occurring.
Sidney scientists are also studying ways to increase the number of another beneficial fungi found in the ground that helps to aggregate the soil and may also aid in weed control.
Soil! Without it we would be naked, homeless and starving. Although we rarely notice the soils around us, we rely on them to produce our food, clothing and shelter; to clean our water; to play on and in, and as a solid base for our buildings.
Soil is our greatest resource, yet every year soil that could be growing crops or pastures is lost or damaged by erosion, contamination and overuse or misuse.
Scientists at the Northern Plains research lab in Sidney, MT, are studying ways to improve, maintain and save our agricultural soil through both biological and mechanical methods. Some of those methods include no-till, minimum till, and conventional tillage with different crop rotations to preserve nutrients in the soil.
Protozoa and Bacteria: Protozoa are very small one-celled creatures. They play an important role in helping to make the soil better by feeding on bacteria and releasing excess nitrogen, which is really good for plants. Bacteria are among the tiniest and most numerous organisms in the soil. They decompose dead organic matter and convert it to nutrients, which is food for plants. Notice at the right the little specks of bacteria all around the oval protozoa and large, angular sand particle.
Fungi: Fungi is also very small, numerous in the soil, and works along with bacteria in breaking down dead matter found throughout the soil. Fungi, bacteria, and plants work together to help each other survive. Fungi takes out some nutrients from the soil to help the plants grow better, while the plants provide the fungi with carbon and energy by attaching to the plant's roots. The fungi can then grow further into the soil helping to also extend the roots of the plants.
Nematodes: Soil nematodes are microscopic worms seen in the photo at the right as being all of the millions of little white lines. They eat bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other nematodes and release nutrients into the soil to help plants grow. A few nematodes attack crop roots, cause diseases and end up harming plants, while a few other predatory nematodes can be used to fight diseases by spraying them on the soil. Here, at right, nematodes are feasting on a dead moth.
Arthropods: Arthropods are a very different group of oddly shaped mites, millipedes, beetles, spiders and other creatures, many of which prey on disease-causing pests and end up helping plants and helping to make healthier soil. Others help to shape soil structure, which improves water intake and supplies the soil with oxygen, while others aid in breaking down dead matter. In the picture at the right you can see a lion ant waiting for some prey.
Earthworms: Earthworms are like underground farmers that create tunnels to help the water move more quickly and to provide pathways for plant roots to grow. They also help in soil aggregation, which is passing little amounts of soil through their bodies to leave it behind in better condition. You could also think of earthworms as being little helpers that fertilize and encourage other little microorganisms to do the same by decomposing dead organic matter in the soil.
Plants and More: Can you name other organisms that live in the soil? All kinds of burrowing animals live underground in the soil such as pocket gophers, shrew, deer mouse, ground squirrels, white grubs, mole crickets, snakes, frogs, and even the red fox. You would be surprised to also find out that some birds even build their homes in the ground. To the right is a photo of a badger peeking up from his home in the ground.
"Every time you take a step in a mature Oregon forest, your foot is being supported on the backs of 16,000 invertebrates held up by and average total of 120,000 legs." - Dr. Andrew Moldenke, Oregon State University.
The tips of small plant roots move through the soil with a twisting screw-like motion. Mature trees can have as many as 5 million active root tips.
A single spade full of rich garden soil contains more species of organisms than can be found above ground in the entire Amazon rain forest.
Although the soil surface appears solid, air moves freely in and out of it. The air in the upper 8 inches of a well-drained soil is completely renewed about every hour.
The plants growing in a 2-acre wheat field can have more than 30,000 miles of roots, greater than the circumference of the earth.
Soil can act as either a sink or a source of greenhouse gases. An estimated 30 percent of the carbon dioxide, 70 percent of the methane, and 90 percent of the nitrous oxide released to the atmosphere each year pass through the soil.
It takes about 4,000 to 6,000 pounds of crop residue per year to maintain the content of organic matter in a soil.
Of the carbon returned to the soil as plant residue, about 5 to 15 percent become tied up in the bodies of organisms and 60 to 75 percent is respired as carbon dioxide back to the atmosphere. Only 10 to 25 percent is concerted to humus in the soil.
Modern farming practices that minimize soil disturbance (plowing) and return plant residues to the soil, such as no-till farming and crop rotations, are slowly rebuilding the Nation's stock of soil and organic matter.
The wonderful "earthy" smell of newly plowed ground is believed to result from chemicals produced by microorganisms, such as bacteria.
Even in agricultural soils, more than a thousand arthropod legs support your every step.
One cup of soil may hold as many bacteria as there are people on Earth.
Bacteria and actinomycetes are exceedingly tiny. Yet, because of their tremendous numbers, they make up half the living biomass in some soils.
The weight of all the bacteria in one acre of soil can equal the weight of a cow or two!!!
A teaspoon of farm soil may contain tens of yards of fungi. The same amount of soil from a coniferous forest may hold tens of miles of fungi.
Nematodes are amazingly diverse. Twenty thousand species have been described, but it is thought that 500,000 species may exist. Five thousand soil species have been described.
Earthworms move soil from lower strata up to the surface and move organic matter from the soil surface to lower layers. Where earthworms are active, they can turn over the top 6 inches of soil in ten to twenty years.
Hope I helped!
Maxwell
Yes, Kentucky's soil is generally fertile with a mix of clay, silt, and loam, making it suitable for a variety of crops. However, the fertility levels can vary within the state depending on the specific region and land management practices.
How industries causes soil pollution?
gases that are emitted to the atmosphere damage the air and affect the Ozon layer .Chemicals that are disposed to the sea are killing the sea environment. the global warming is a result of hi amount of gases replacing the oxygen percentage in the air .
How do positive and negative consequences of human activities that affect soil?
You shall not always rely on http://www.wikianswers.com all the time for your answers... look in your Science Book to find the answers to your questions.... Ever heard of a Science Book... maybe you can look up the definition, DONT EXPECT TO GO ON THE COMPUTER AND FIND YOU ANSWER RIGHT AWAY, just STOP and THINK!
Earth is the third planet from the Sun in our solar system and is the only known planet to support life. It is home to a wide variety of ecosystems, including oceans, forests, deserts, and mountains. Earth is unique due to its abundant water, oxygen-rich atmosphere, and moderate temperatures, making it a suitable environment for diverse forms of life.
How does time affect soil development?
Time is a key factor in soil development as it allows for the gradual accumulation of organic matter, weathering of rocks, and the formation of soil horizons. Over time, these processes contribute to the development of more complex soil structures and nutrient profiles. Additionally, time affects the establishment and evolution of soil microbiota, which further enhance soil fertility and health.
How can flowing water affect the fertility of soil?
Flowing water can transport nutrients and organic matter downstream, leading to the depletion of fertile topsoil in some areas. Erosion caused by fast-moving water can also degrade soil structure and reduce its ability to hold nutrients, impacting fertility. In contrast, waterlogging from excessive flow can cause oxygen depletion in soil, inhibiting root growth and nutrient uptake by plants.
Does the soil in a delta come from volcanoes?
No, the soil in a delta does not primarily come from volcanoes. Deltas are formed from the accumulation of sediment carried by rivers and deposited as they flow into a body of water, such as an ocean or lake. The soil in a delta is typically a mixture of silt, sand, and clay particles eroded from the land upstream.
What is the difference between soil and parent rock?
All soils come from a parent rock. The parent rock is broken down due to weathering, will eventually after many years will become a fine crumbly soil. Different parent rocks produce different soils.
What rocks materials are found in soil?
Soil can contain a variety of rock materials, such as sand, silt, and clay particles derived from the weathering and erosion of rocks. It may also contain larger rock fragments and minerals like quartz, feldspar, and mica that have been broken down over time. The specific rock materials in soil will depend on the parent rock type in the area and the processes of weathering and erosion that have occurred.
Why does the foundation of a very large building often go all the way down to the bedrock?
Because large buildings weigh a lot. Subsoil has varying degrees of 'bearing capacity' - the amount of weight it can carry. If you put a lot of weight on a subsoil of low bearing capacity it will compact, or be pushed aside. If the subsoil on the site of a large building has insufficient bearing capacity to carry the loads imposed on it by the building then the foundations would have to be taken to bedrock as this has 'unlimited' bearing capacity.
What are the things made out of soil?
Some common items made out of soil include bricks, pottery, adobe buildings, and earthenware. Soil can also be used in construction for foundations and roadways.
What is wind erosion that removes surface soil?
Wind erosion that removes surface soil is known as deflation. This process occurs when wind blows across the land surface, picking up and transporting loose particles of soil and sand. The removed soil can lead to land degradation and desertification.
Why is soil and water conservation important to our future?
Soil and water conservation is important because it helps to prevent erosion, maintain soil fertility, protect water quality, and preserve ecosystems. By practicing soil and water conservation, we can ensure that these natural resources are available for future generations.
What is a large channel in soil formed by erosion?
A gully is a large channel in soil formed by erosion, typically by flowing water. Gullies can develop over time through repeated episodes of erosion, and they can cause significant damage to landscapes and agriculture if left unaddressed. Preventative measures such as re-vegetation and erosion control structures can help mitigate gully formation.
What materials make the soil less fertile?
Materials that can make soil less fertile include excessive salts, heavy metals, pesticides, and pollutants such as industrial chemicals. These substances can affect the pH, nutrient levels, and microbial activity in the soil, making it less suitable for plant growth. Overuse of chemical fertilizers can also lead to soil degradation over time.
What is more important to people soil air or water?
I dont know about the soil, but air is equally as important as water because you need air to breathe, and you needwater to drink. Without those, you'll die.
Soil levels refer to the different layers of soil found beneath the surface. These layers are called horizons and are labeled O, A, B, C, and R based on their composition and properties. Each level plays a crucial role in supporting plant growth and ecosystem functions.
What is the organization of organic matter?
Organic matter is organized in a hierarchical structure, starting from individual molecules (e.g., amino acids, sugars) that combine to form macromolecules like proteins and carbohydrates. These macromolecules further assemble into structures like organelles within cells, tissues, and ultimately organisms. At larger scales, organic matter can also be organized within ecosystems, with energy and nutrient flows connecting different organisms and environments.
What is the very slow downhill movement of rock and soil?
The very slow downhill movement of rock and soil is called creep. This gradual process is often imperceptible over short periods of time but can lead to significant changes in landscapes over long periods.
Which soil has lowest percolation rate?
Clay soil generally has the lowest percolation rate because its small particles are closely packed together, which restricts water movement through the soil. This can lead to poor drainage and increased chances of waterlogging.
What are three farming meathods that save soil?
- Conservation tillage: Involves minimizing soil disturbance by reducing or eliminating plowing and cultivating, which helps to preserve soil structure and reduce erosion.
- Cover cropping: Involves planting specific crops to cover and protect the soil surface when the main crop is not growing, which helps to reduce erosion, improve soil fertility, and enhance soil health.
- Crop rotation: Involves alternating different crops in the same field to break pest cycles, improve soil structure, and maintain soil fertility, which can help reduce soil erosion and degradation.
What would you see in the C-horizon of a soil?
In the C-horizon of a soil, you would typically find partially weathered rock or unconsolidated material. This layer often serves as a transition between the weathered material above and the solid rock below. It has a lower concentration of organic matter compared to upper soil layers.
What are the types of plowing?
contour plowing and conservation plowing. refrence:California Earh Science book. and please cheak your book first. :]
Does soil temperature decrease with depth?
Yes, soil temperature generally decreases with depth due to the insulating properties of the soil and the decrease in heat transfer from the surface to deeper layers. The rate at which temperature decreases with depth can vary depending on factors such as soil type, moisture content, and local climate conditions.
