Do We Really Need Soil?

Do We Really Need Soil?Lets 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!

Soil Helps Soak Up Rainwater So We Dont Have Flooding!

Soil ComponentsTrue soil is made up of 4 key components.Think MOMA to remember themMineralsOrganic Material & BacteriaMoisture AirSoil Components1. 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 materialMinerals are acquired through the weathering (breaking down) process into smaller elements such as sand, silt and clay

Soil Components2. Organic Material & Bacteria:The organic material is flowers, grass, trees/branches etc that are dead and on the groundWhen 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)

Soil Components3. 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.Soil Components4. Air:- Plants need air most around their roots and within 30cm of the surfaceLots of loose humus near roots allows for lots of air spacesAir spaces are also created by worms and ants and other insects and small animals which tunnel through the soil.

Soil ProfileSoil Profiles:A profile is a side view of somethingSoil is made up of many layers or horizonsThe 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

Soil Profile.

D Horizon

Natural Vegetation RegionsNatural vegetation: plants that grow without human interference3 main types in Canada : tundra (lichens and mosses) forest (trees) grasslandNatural Regions7 natural regions (which gradually change one into the next through transition zones)TundraBoreal & Taiga ForestMixed ForestDeciduous ForestGrassland; Short and Long Grassland/ ParklandCordilleran VegetationWest Coast Forest.

Each Natural vegetation regions has unique vegetation characteristics that usually can be connected to regions climate.

Vegetation RegionClimateSummer/ WinterSoilsNatural VegetationTundra cold, dry, ( very little precipitation)short summer short growing seasonthin soil, permafrostshrubs, mosses, lichens, small flowersBoreal and Taiga more precipitationLonger growing seasonLeeching, shallow humus, grey, acidic soilLargest vegetation regionConiferous treesMixed Harsh climatelots of precipitationWarm summers, cool wintersHumus creates deep grey-brown topsoil rich in minerals, little leeching, good for farming Deciduous and coniferous trees, shrubsDeciduous lots of precipitationLong hot summers, mild winters,More humus, dark brown, leeching, most fertile in eastern hardwood trees, some deciduous forestGrassland - short - long- parklandDry, warmLittle rainfallHot summers, cold wintersLimited humus, (long-grass prairie has more humus = best in ) calcificationA few trees, many grasses, cactus, Cordilleran VegetationWide range of temperature and rain fallWarm-cool summers, cold wintersRange of soilsvariesWest CoastMild climate, heavy rain fallWarm dry summers, mild wet wintersHumus, leechingLush forests