From Bedrock to Soil
Soil – is a loose mixture of small mineral fragments, organic material, water, and air that can
support the growth of vegetation (plants)
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Not all soils are the same. The type of soil that is formed is dependent on the type of rock
it comes from.
Parent rock – the rock formation that is the source of soil
Bedrock – is the layer of rock beneath the soil
Soil texture – is the soil quality that is based on the proportions of soil particles
Soil structure – is the arrangement of soil particles
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Soil texture and structure determine how easy it is to break up for farming and how easy
it is for water to pass through it
Humus – the organic material formed in soil from the decayed remains of plants and animals
Leaching – the removal of substances that can be dissolved from rock, ore, or layers of soil due
to the passing of water
Tropical Rainforest Climates – warm and wet area: organic matter decays quickly creating rich
humus
Deforestation – clearing trees from an area without replacing them
Desert climates – hot and dry: low rate of weathering means less soil
Land degradation – is when either natural processes or human activity damage land to the point
it can no longer support plants and animals
Temperate Forest and Grassland Climates – adequate amounts of rain and moderate
temperatures make these areas ideal for growing crops
Arctic Climates – cold and dry: chemical weathering occurs slowly, so little soil is formed