Soil A Natural Resource SOL 3 7 By

Soil: A Natural Resource SOL 3. 7 By Ellen Benegar Suffolk Public Schools

Why is soil important? • Many plants grow in soil. • Soil provides support and nutrients for the plants. Back to the review

How is Soil Created? • Weathering is when weather, water and living things break down rocks and create soil. • Weathering takes place over many years. Back to the review http: //www. geography 4 kids. com/files/land_weathering. html

What are nutrients? • Materials that plants and animals need to live and grow. Back to the review

What makes up soil? • • • Rock Clay Silt Sand Humus Back to the review

3 Layers of Soil: topsoil, subsoil and bedrock Back to the review

What is topsoil? • Topsoil is the upper surface of soil. • It is a natural product of subsoil and bedrock. • Topsoil is the best for plant growth.

What is Subsoil and Bedrock? • Subsoil and bedrock are layers of soil under the topsoil that are formed over a long period of time by water. • Subsoil and bedrock aren’t as good for growing plants as topsoil.

What is Humus? (“HYOO-mus”) • Humus is decayed or dead matter in soil. • It adds nutrients to the soil. • Humus is found in topsoil. http: //www. ngu. no/Kola/cd 2 -22 b. gif

What is Clay? • Clay contains small particles of soil that hold water well and provides nutrients. www. dahlias. net

What is Sand? • Sand is made up of small grains of worn -down rock. • It has few nutrients. • Sand doesn’t hold water well. www. dahlias. net

What is Silt? • Silt is composed (made up of) very small broken pieces of rock. • Its particles are larger than clay and smaller than sand. www. hi. is

Fill in this diagram of soil layers using the terms: subsoil, bedrock and topsoil. Best soil for plants Not good for growing plants Formed over a long period of time

1. In which soil type did the plant grow the slowest? 2. In which soil type was there the greatest amount of growth? 3. What is the worst soil to grow plants in according to the chart?

How can soil be conserved? • Proper use of farming • Proper use of mining • Proper use of cutting down of trees to avoid erosion

Review • Name the 5 components of soil. Check answer here • What are nutrients? Check answer here • Why is soil important? Check answer here • What is weathering? Check answer here • Fill in this chart to compare 4 types of soil. Humus Clay Sand Silt