Soil Types
This type of soil is gritty and drains water quickly.
sand
The top layer of soil where plants grow.
top soil
Plants grow well in soil that holds the right amount of thi
water
These small creatures dig tunnels and help air reach plant roots.
earthworms
This job involves studying soil and how it's used.
a soil scientist
This soil type is dark, rich in nutrients, and great for growing plants.
What is loam
This layer is under the topsoil and has fewer nutrients.
subsoil
Roots take in water and these from the soil.
Nutrients
These tiny living things break down dead plants and animals in the soil.
decomposers (bacteria and fungi)?
Farmers sometimes rotate these to keep soil healthy
crops
This soil feels slippery when wet and cracks when dry.
clay
The deepest layer, made mostly of solid rock.
bed rock
Soil that holds too much water can cause this problem for plants.
root rot
This insect often found in soil can carry seeds underground.
an ant
Cutting down forests can lead to this soil problem.
erosion
A mixture of sand, silt, clay, and organic matter is called this ideal farming soil.
loam
This layer contains broken rock pieces and sits above bedrock.
parent material
Plants help prevent this soil problem with their roots
Erosion
These animals help mix the soil as they burrow.
moles
This type of pollution can harm soil and plants
chemical pollution
This type of soil is found in wetlands and is made of partially decayed plants.
peat
The order of the soil layers from top to bottom.
topsoil, subsoil, parent material, and bedrock
Farmers add compost to soil to increase these
nutrients
The process of breaking down plant and animal material into nutrients
decomposition
This farming method helps prevent erosion by planting along slopes.
contour farming