is a dynamic natural body capable of supporting a vegetative cover.

Functions of Soil:

Four Major Components of Soil:

Soils contain insoluble materials, soluble materials, and chemical constituents.

rock fragments and minerals that will not readily dissolve in water.

the breakdown of underlying rocks.

the process of adding nutrients or other constituents in order to meet the soil conditions that certain plants require.

Sources of Chemical Constituents:

the original source of soil water.

Capillary Water: Definition and Function

Hydroscopic Water: Definition and Function

Gravitational Water: Definition and Function

Water that percolates down through a soil, under the force of gravity.

Soil water found as a very thin film, invisible to the naked eye, that is bound to the surfaces of soil particles by strong electrical forces.

cementlike layer, like a clay hardpan which prevents the downward percolation of water.

Depleting nutrients in the soil through flow of water.

Downward removal of soil components by water.

Deposition by water in the subsoil.

characteristic layered changes with depth.

Fine particles and substances dissolved from the upper soil are deposited in lower levels, which become dense and may be strongly colored by accumulated iron compounds.

The decayed remains of plant and animal materials, partially transformed by bacterial action.

Difference in organic matter content of soil according to color:

Difference in organic matter content of soil according to location:

Most important soil properties:

Color of decomposed organic matter.

Color indicates that iron has been leached out, leaving oxides of silicon and aluminum.

Color indicates a high proportion of calcium or salts.

Color indicates the presence of iron.

Soil Analysis: Instrument Used:

refers to the particle sizes (or distribution of sizes) that make up a soil.

Soil Texture:

Used to discern different classes of soil texture based on the plot of percentages for each soil grade.

“p” stands for ___ and the “H” stands for ___.

One of the most important components of soil.

Soil pH Analysis: Instrument:

Soil acidity can generally be corrected by adding ___ to the soil.

Have purpose to increase pH of soil.

Ability to withstand rapid pH fluctuation.

The vertical cross section of a soil from the surface down to the parent material.

Soil Horizons:

2 Types of Parent Material:

___, a distinguished soil scientist, observed that soil development was a function of:

If weathered rock particles have accumulated in place— through the physical and chemical breakdown of bedrock directly beneath the soil.

If the rock fragments that form a soil have been carried to the site and deposited by streams, waves, winds, gravity, or glaciers.

There is less runoff and higher infiltration, more water is available for soil development and to support vegetation growth, so erosion is not as intense.

Are generally better drained than gentler ones, and they are also subject to rapid runoff of surface water.

When soils have reached such a condition of equilibrium.

When soils are still in the process of developing toward being in equilibrium with their environmental conditions.

Climate differences produce three primary soil-forming regimes:

A soil-forming regime that occurs in humid tropical and subtropical climates as a result of high temperatures and abundant precipitation.

The collecting, treating, and disposing of solid material that is discarded because it has served its purpose or is no longer useful.

An act providing for an ecological solid waste management program, creating the necessary institutional mechanisms and incentives, declaring certain acts prohibited and providing penalties, appropriating funds therefore, and for other purposes.