SOILS

Different types, different results

What is soil?

Soil is the top layer of the earth’s crust that contains rock, minerals, organic material (dead leaves, decaying creatures), water, oxygen, and organisms like bacteria and worms. These things all work together to produce one of the primary materials that allows human life to flourish on earth: the dirt under our feet.

There are lots of different kinds of soil all over the world

What do plants need from the soil? Plants need nitrogen, phosphorus, and

potassium, but trace amounts of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals help plants thrive and grow.

How do plants grow in different types of soil?

http://agricultureguide.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/soapworts-1.jpg

Sandy Soil

http://www.junglemusic.net/images/Clay%20Soil,%20Finger%20impressions%20(Small).JPG

Clay Soil

More…

http://nre509.wikidot.com/lecture-7:vegetational-biomes-exam-questions

Soil Cross-section

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51688851@N00/206590974/in/set-72157594222951408/

Peat Soil

How can we improve soil?

Compost! Compost is decomposed organic matter

(your banana peel, egg shells, grass clippings, leaves, wood chips, etc).

Organic matter helps improve moisture retention, water drainage, soil aeration, and provides an ideal environment for worms and bacteria

Works cited

Healthy foods from healthy soils by Elizabeth Patten and Kathy Lyons

Photo citations underneath pictures PowerPoint created by Robin Lewis,

Environmental Studies Intern, Whitman College Spring 2010