SOL 3.1

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• SOL 3.1 3.7

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Soil provides

• support and nutrients
• for plant growth

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EROSIONis the movement of sediment and rock
to new places.
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Weathering

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

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There are five components of soil

• 1. Rock
• 2. Sand
• 3. Silt
• 4. Clay
• 5. Humus
• Can you match each type of soil to its picture?

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Rock

• Rock is solid and made of minerals

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Sand

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

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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)

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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.

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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.

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Soil Composition and Texture

• Soil is a mixture of rock particles, minerals,
  decayed organic material, air, and water
• Humus the decayed organic material in soil
  helps create spaces in soil for air and water
  rich in elements that plants need
• Loam soil made up of about equal parts of clay,
  sand, and silt ideal for most plants

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3 Layers of Soil

1. Topsoil (The layer on TOP)
2. Subsoil (The prefix SUB means under)
3. Bedrock (Its hard as rock down there!)

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Life in Soil

• Some soil organisms mix the soil and make spaces
  in it for air and water. Other soil organisms
  make humus, which makes soil fertile.
• Litter the loose layer of dead plant leaves and
  stems on the surface of the soil
• Decomposers organisms that break down dead
  organisms and digest them

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Natural Resources

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

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Ways to Conserve Soil

• Plant trees
• Plant grass
• Healthy farming
• Plant gardens to grow crops
• What else can you do to conserve soil?

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Soil of North America