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Do We Really Need Soil?

Do We Really Need Soil?. Let’s Dig Up the Facts!. Soil Contains the Minerals All Living Things Need!. We Use Soil to Grow Food!. Many Animals and Microscopic Creatures Live in the Soil!. Grazing Animals Depend On the Plants in the Soil for Food!.

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Do We Really Need Soil?

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  1. Do We Really Need Soil? Let’s Dig Up the Facts!

  2. Soil Contains the Minerals All Living Things Need!

  3. We Use Soil to Grow Food!

  4. Many Animals and Microscopic Creatures Live in the Soil!

  5. Grazing Animals Depend On the Plants in the Soil for Food!

  6. Soil Helps Soak Up Rainwater So We Don’t Have Flooding!

  7. Soil Components • True soil is made up of 4 key components. • Think MOMA to remember them • Minerals • Organic Material & Bacteria • Moisture • Air

  8. Soil Components… 1. Minerals: • Minerals such as calcium, phosphorous and Potassium are nutrients that are found in the soil and are required for plant growth. • Minerals come from rock material known as parent material • Minerals are acquired through the weathering (breaking down) process into smaller elements such as sand, silt and clay

  9. Soil Components… 2. Organic Material & Bacteria: • The organic material is flowers, grass, trees/branches etc that are dead and on the ground • When plants and animals die they are decomposed (broken down) by bacteria in the soil (think mold on cheese or bread) • Decaying organic materials form humus, which provides nutrients and moisture for plants. - Humus is dark in colour and found on the surface or O horizon (layer)

  10. Soil Components… 3. Moisture: • - Water dissolves nutrients and is absorbed by the roots of plants. • - Water also necessary dissolve minerals and help in the decay of organic material.

  11. Soil Components… 4. Air: - Plants need air most around their roots and within 30cm of the surface • Lots of loose humus near roots allows for lots of air spaces • Air spaces are also created by worms and ants and other insects and small animals which tunnel through the soil.

  12. Soil Profile • Soil Profiles: A profile is a side view of something… • Soil is made up of many layers or horizons • The Profile is the different layers between the O horizon and the D (or R) (bedrock) • Each horizon is composed of different rock, minerals and vegetation combinations

  13. Soil Profile…. D Horizon

  14. Natural Vegetation Regions • Natural vegetation: plants that grow without human interference • 3 main types in Canada : • tundra (lichens and mosses) • forest (trees) • grassland

  15. Natural Regions 7 natural regions (which gradually change one into the next through transition zones) • Tundra • Boreal & Taiga Forest • Mixed Forest • Deciduous Forest • Grassland; Short and Long Grassland/ Parkland • Cordilleran Vegetation • West Coast Forest. Each Natural vegetation regions has unique vegetation characteristics that usually can be connected to regions climate.

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