SOIL

Soil provides
support and nutrients
for plant growth

EROSION
is the movement of sediment and
rock to new places.

Weathering
breaks down rocks to create
soil. It can be caused by
weather, water, or living
things

There are five components of soil:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Rock
Sand
Silt
Clay
Humus

Can you match each type of soil to its picture?

Rock
Rock is solid and made of minerals

Sand
Sand is tiny grains of worn down rock. It
doesnt hold water or have many nutrients.

Silt
Silt is very small, broken pieces of rock. It is
larger than clay, but smaller than sand. It
is powdery when dry.
Sand ------------Silt---------------Clay
(smaller particles)
(larger particles)

CLAY
Clay holds water well. It is sticky and can be
shaped when it is wet. But, it is very hard
when dry.

Clay has many nutrients.

Clay is used for adobe or brick houses.

Humus
Humus is made of leaves, twigs, small
animals, or other decayed substances.
Humus adds many nutrients to the soil.
Humus is in the topsoil.

Soil Composition Pyramid

Soil Acidity (pH)

*The effect of soil pH is great on the
solubility of minerals or nutrients.
*Before a nutrient can be used by plants it
must be dissolved in the soil.
*Most minerals and nutrients are more
soluble or available in acid soils than in
neutral or slightly alkaline soils.

3 Layers of Soil
1. Topsoil (The layer on TOP)
2. Subsoil (The prefix SUB means
under)

3. Bedrock
there!)

(Its hard as rock down

Natural Resources
Made by NATURE
Cannot be replaced
Must be conserved (saved)!

Ways to Conserve Soil

Plant trees
Plant grass
Healthy farming
Plant gardens to grow crops

What else can you do to conserve soil?