Natural ResourcesConservation Service

Helping People Help the Land

Introduction Introduction to Soilto Soil

Do NowDo Now

1.1. Write down what you Write down what you think the difference is think the difference is between soil and dirtbetween soil and dirt

2.2. List as many reasons List as many reasons you can think of why you can think of why soil is importantsoil is important

Careers in Soil ScienceCareers in Soil Science

Soil and Plant Soil and Plant Scientists from Scientists from

Careers.orgCareers.org

SOILSOIL

Traditional definition: Traditional definition: Material which nourishes Material which nourishes and supports growing and supports growing plants; foundation of every plants; foundation of every living thingliving thing

DirtDirt

Soil out of place and unable to serve Soil out of place and unable to serve it’s purposeit’s purpose

Importance of SoilImportance of Soil

Foundation for roads and structuresFoundation for roads and structures Home to plants and animalsHome to plants and animals Grow things in itGrow things in it Contains and filters waterContains and filters water Helps dispose of wasteHelps dispose of waste Basis for recreation areasBasis for recreation areas

Soils Perform Several Vital FunctionsSoils Perform Several Vital FunctionsSustaining plant and Sustaining plant and animal life below and animal life below and above the surfaceabove the surface

Regulating and Regulating and partitioning water and partitioning water and

solute flowsolute flow

Filtering, buffering, Filtering, buffering, degrading, immobilizing, degrading, immobilizing, and detoxifyingand detoxifying

Storing and cycling Storing and cycling nutrientsnutrients

Providing support to Providing support to structuresstructures

SOILSOIL

Mixture of Mixture of mineral matter, mineral matter, organic matter, organic matter, water, and air.water, and air.

Properties of soilProperties of soil

Air 25%

Mineral Matter 45%

Water 25%

Organic Matter 5%

SOIL COMPONENTSSOIL COMPONENTS

3 Fractions of Mineral Matter3 Fractions of Mineral Matter

SandSand

SiltSilt

ClayClay

USDA Textural TriangleUSDA Textural Triangle