Soil Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is soil?
Soil is the product of heavily broken-down rock fragments and decomposed organic matter that lays on the Earth’s crust
It is the main component of a terrestrial habitat.
What are the three types of soil?
Sandy Soil
Loam Soil
Clay Soil
What are the characteristics of sandy soil?
- Large particle size
- Low water retention
- High air levels
- Low nutrients (Infertile)
What are the characteristics of loam soil?
- Equal amounts of large and small particles
- Ideal water retention
- Ideal air level
- Fertile
What are the characteristics of clay soil?
- Small particles
- High water retention
- No air
- Infertile
What is the basic composition of soil?
- Humus/decomposing organisms
- Rock fragments
- Macroorganisms
- Microorganisms
What is Humus?
Humus is the result of an organism that has decomposed beyond recognition of what it used to be.
What is a microorganism?
An organism that can not be seen with the naked eye.
What is a macroorganism?
An organism that can be seen with the naked eye.
What is the role of macro and micro-organisms in the context of soil?
They aid in the decomposition of organisms in the soil, releasing nutrients into the soil.
Macroorganisms like earthworms also provide airways in the soil when they burrow
