All About Soil
What is soil?
Soil makes up the top layer of the Earth's surface.
What is soil made of?
Soil is made of minerals, organic matter, air, water and living things
How many layers are usually found in soil?
Four:
Topsoil, subsoil, weathered soil, bedrock
What are the 3 main types of soil?
Sand, silt and clay
How do earthworms help soil?
Earthworms add air to soil and break down organic matter with their droppings.
Why is soil important?
It provides nutrients and support for plants to grow, which are important for animal and human life.
What soil is made up of equal parts of sand, silt and clay?
Loam
What is topsoil?
Topsoil is the upper layer of soil that contains the most organic matter and nutrients
What is humus?
Humus is the dark, organic material that forms in soil as plants and animals decompose.
What is erosion?
Erosion is the process of wearing away soil and rock by wind and water.
What are some living things that make their homes in soil?
Moles, snails, slugs, beetles, worms and other insects.
What soil is made up of small pieces of weathered rock. It does not hold water well and contains few nutrients.
Sandy soil.
What is subsoil?
Subsoil is the layer of soil beneath topsoil. It contains less nutrients.
What is sandy soil like?
Sandy soil feels gritty and does not hold water well.
What is compost?
Compost is decomposed organic matter that can be used as fertilizer for plants.
How does soil help plants grow?
Soil provides plants with the nutrients they need to grow.
What can be done to make soil healthier?
We can add organic matter like compost, use fertilizers and rotate crops (plant different crops)
What is bedrock?
Bedrock is the solid rock that lies beneath the soil.
What is clay soil like?
Clay soil feels sticky and holds water well.
Why is compost important for soil?
Compost is important because it adds nutrients to the soil.
How long does it take soil to form?
It can take hundreds or thousands of years for soil to form.
Why do living thing need soil?
Plants need soil for food and water. Other living things need soil as their home.
Which layer of soil can be swept away by erosion?
Top soil
What is silty soil like?
Silty soil feels smooth and is able to hold water.
How can erosion be stopped?
Erosion can be stopped by planting trees and plants to hold soil in place.