What's in The Soil
What 2 things is soil made of?
Broken down rock and humus (decaying plants and animals)
What are three things humans do that is harmful to soil?
What animals that live on land need soil to survive?
Everything
What three things can humans do to help soil?
compost, plant trees or plants, plant a windbreak, recycle
What is soil erosion?
When soil is moved from one place to another
What are the layers of soil in order?
Humus, Top Soil, Subsoil, Parent Material, Bedrock
What is something humans do that causes erosion?
cut too many trees, clear plants off land
How long does it take for a cm of soil to form?
over a hundred years
How does planting plants and trees help soil?
Roots stop erosion and dead plants turn into humus.
What are the 2 natural causes of soil erosion?
wind and rain
What layer of soil is made of decomposing plants and animals?
humus
What is something humans do that puts chemicals into soil?
spray pesticides
What are three ways soil helps humans survive?
- air to breath
- food to eat
- wood for shelter or heat
- clean water to drink
How does composting help soil?
Makes rich soil called humus
Why is soil erosion a problem?
If there isn't enough soil plants can't grow
Name 3 animals you might find in the Topsoil?
What is the problem with putting too much salt on the road?
Makes the soil too salty for plants to grow.
What are three ways soil helps animals survive?
- gives them food
-gives them air
- gives them a place to live
How does planting a wind break help soil?
Stops wind erosion
What 2 things do humans do that cause erosion?
Cut down trees, remove plants, farmers ploughing fields
Why is the layer Parent Material called that?
What is the problem with putting lots of garbage in the soil?
Small pieces break off and get into the soil and water.
How are 3 things earthworms do that helps the soil?
eat dead plants, make tunnels, leave castings
How does recycling help the soil?
keeps plastic out of soil
What are two things that stop erosion?
Planting a wind break, planting plants/trees, not removing plants on the surface, controlling drainage