Organic Soils
What is the main component of organic soils?
Humus
What are inorganic soils primarily made of?
Minerals
What is the O horizon?
The uppermost layer with organic matter.
Why is soil considered an ecosystem?
It contains many life forms that depend on each other.
What are the three main types of soil particles?
Sand, silt, and clay.
Why are organic soils important for plant growth?
They are rich in nutrients
What natural forces can create inorganic soils?
Weather like wind and rain.
What does the A horizon contain?
Topsoil with organic material and minerals.
What role do microorganisms play in the soil?
They decompose dead material and return nutrients.
Which type of soil particle is the largest?
Sand
What do we call soils that have a lot of organic matter?
Organic soils
What is alluvial soil?
Soil transported and deposited by moving water.
What is found in the B horizon?
Accumulated materials, often high in clay.
Name one type of soil microorganism.
Bacteria
What is loam soil best for?
Growing most crops.
They allow nutrients in fertilizers to be available.
How does erosion affect soil?
It picks up soil and carries it downstream.
What is the R horizon?
Bedrock, the bottom layer of soil.
How do fungi help in the soil?
They break down materials like wood.
What happens if there is too much sand in the soil?
It does not hold water well.
Name one reason why organic soils are considered the most productive?
They have a lot of humus and nutrients.
Name a characteristic of soil formed by glaciers.
It is often pulverized rock.
Which horizon is where most seeds germinate?
The O horizon.
What do nematodes consume in the soil?
Decaying organic matter, other microorganisms, or plant roots.
What does the pH scale measure in soil?
The acidity of the soil.