Soil

Sandy clay loam (SCL) is a soil texture. A soil texture is a specific mixture of sand, silt and clay particles.

SCL can have 74 to 80% sand and 20 to 35% clay. See the link on soil texture for more.

A gully is a large channel in the soil that carries runoff. It is formed by the erosion caused by flowing water during heavy rainfall or snowmelt. Gullies can contribute to soil erosion and landscape degradation if left unchecked.

Soil compaction reduces pore spaces, limiting water infiltration and retention. This can lead to increased runoff and erosion, impacting the water cycle. It also hinders root growth and microbial activity, affecting nutrient availability and cycling in the soil.

Living organisms in the soil help to break down organic matter, recycle nutrients, improve soil structure, and promote healthy plant growth. They play a vital role in maintaining soil fertility and ecosystem balance.

That type of dome-shaped home made of log frames covered with mud or soil is called a "earthbag dome" or an "earthbag house." They are a type of sustainable and eco-friendly housing structure that utilizes natural materials for construction.

Relief, or the shape and elevation of the land, affects soil formation by influencing factors such as erosion, drainage, and the deposition of sediment. Steep slopes can lead to faster erosion and nutrient loss, resulting in thinner soils, while flat areas may accumulate more sediment and organic matter, resulting in thicker soils. Overall, relief plays a significant role in shaping the physical and chemical characteristics of soils in a given area.

implementing conservation practices such as planting cover crops, maintaining crop residue on fields, using contour farming, and practicing no-till agriculture. These practices help to protect the soil from being washed or blown away by wind and water erosion.

Concretion is the process where minerals accumulate around a central core in soil to form a hardened mass. This can occur in various soil layers within the soil profile, typically forming in areas where there is high mineral content and a slow accumulation of material over time.

Implementing conservation practices such as contour plowing, terracing, and cover cropping can help reduce soil erosion by preventing water runoff and keeping the soil in place. These methods help maintain soil structure and fertility, allowing farmers to continue producing crops sustainably.

humus.

Gravel, sand, silt, and clay are classified based on their particle size. Gravel has the largest particle size (greater than 2mm), followed by sand (0.06mm - 2mm), silt (0.002mm - 0.06mm), and clay (<0.002mm). Gravel is coarse and drains water quickly, while clay is fine and retains water.

Yes, humus increases the ability of soil to retain water due to its sponge-like structure that helps hold onto moisture. Humus also improves soil structure by increasing porosity and aggregation, which further enhances water retention capacity.

The smallest size category of soil particles is clay. Clay particles are the smallest among the three main soil types (sand, silt, and clay), with a particle size less than 0.002 mm in diameter. This small size gives clay soil its unique properties such as high water retention and strong nutrient-holding capacity.

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Low-till or no-till

The loose layer of leaves on the surface of the soil is called leaf litter. Leaf litter plays a significant role in providing nutrients to the soil as it decomposes, which supports plant growth and overall ecosystem health.

Loam is a type of soil that consists of a balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay particles. It has good drainage properties while also retaining nutrients and moisture, making it ideal for plant growth.

The topsoil horizon (A horizon) is responsible for a soil's fertility as it contains the most organic matter and essential nutrients for plant growth. This layer is where plant roots are most active and where microbial activity is highest, contributing to the soil's overall fertility.

fertility

Legumes are important for soil fertility because they have a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their roots. These bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use, enriching the soil with nitrogen. As a result, legumes help increase soil fertility naturally, without the need for synthetic fertilizers. This makes them valuable crops for sustainable farming practices.

It can take hundreds to thousands of years for soil to form from bedrock into fertile soil, depending on factors such as climate, vegetation, and topography. In warm, moist climates with high biological activity, soil formation may occur more quickly, while in cold, dry climates, the process may take much longer.

Organic matter in soil improves soil structure, increases water retention, enhances nutrient availability to plants, and promotes microbial activity. It also helps to reduce erosion and promotes overall soil health.

Soils with a high sand content are generally more easily eroded than soils with a high clay content. This is because sands have larger particles that are more prone to being carried away by water or wind. Clay particles are smaller and more tightly packed, making them less susceptible to erosion.

You can generally expect sandy soils to be more permeable than clay soils due to their larger particle size and pore spaces. Soils with a loamy texture typically have a moderate permeability, offering a balance between drainage and water retention.

Living organisms in soil play a crucial role in nutrient cycling, decomposition of organic matter, and soil structure formation. They contribute to soil fertility, help improve water retention, and support plant growth by providing essential nutrients. Additionally, soil organisms also contribute to carbon sequestration and help maintain overall soil health.