Layers of Soil
Thin rich layer where many nutrients can be found, plant roots are found here.
Topsoil
The feel or appearance of something
Texture
Hold plants in place
Stabilize
Medium sized particles, light, retains and drains water well, washes away easily
Silt
Moving air, used to create electricity, captured by windmills
Wind, Renewable
Made up of rock that has been slightly weathered, this is where soil comes from
Parent material
Broken down into sand silt and clay.
Sand is the largest, clay is the smallest.
Particle size
Soaked up by the roots, used by the plant to make their own food
Water
Mixture of sand, silt, and clay. Ideal for planting. Has the benefits of each soil type
Loam
Solid material made from plants that lived long ago. Created from heat and pressure, can be used to create energy
Coal, Nonrenewable
Lowest layer of soil, solid rock
Bedrock
To help plants grow, plants must be able to provide: air, water, stabilization, nutrients, and temperature regulation
Ability to support life
Helps to keep the plant from getting too hot or too cold
Temperature regulation
Largest particle size, small pieces of rock, very low in nutrients
Gravel/Pebbles
A gas made from plants and animals that lived long ago. Made from heat and pressure, and can be used to cook food and heat homes
Natural gas
Made up of sand, silt, and clay that has not broken down all the way
Subsoil
Caused by the things in it
Color
Supplies oxygen and nitrogen to plants
Air
Large particle size, not many nutrients, light and dry.
Liquid material made from plants and animals that lived long ago. Created from heat and pressure, can be turned into gasoline
Oil, Nonrenewable
Top layer of soil, made up of decaying plant and animal matter
Humus
To absorb and hold water
Retention
Used to help the plant grow, some are found in the humus
Nutrients
Smallest particle size, tightly packed, retains water very well
Clay
Used for food, wood, and energy
Plants, Renewable