SOIL

Soil provides support and nutrients for plant growth

EROSION is the movement of sediment and rock to new places.

Weathering breaks down rocks to create soil. It can be caused by weather, water, or living things

There are five components of soil: 1. Rock 2. Sand 3. Silt 4. Clay 5. Humus Can you match each type of soil to its picture?

Rock is solid and made of minerals

Sand Sand is tiny grains of worn down rock. It doesn’t hold water or have many nutrients.

Silt Silt is very small, broken pieces of rock. It is larger than clay, but smaller than sand. It is powdery when dry.

Clay is used for adobe or brick houses. Clay holds water well. It is sticky and can be shaped when it is wet. But, it is very hard when dry. Clay has many nutrients. Clay is used for adobe or brick houses.

Humus Humus is made of leaves, twigs, small animals, or other decayed substances. Humus adds many nutrients to the soil. Humus is in the topsoil.

4 Layers of Soil Litter (dead plant and animal materials) Topsoil (nutrient rich) Subsoil (less nutrients; bigger rock particles) Bedrock (It’s hard as rock down there!)

Ways to Conserve Soil Plant trees Plant grass Healthy farming Plant gardens to grow crops What else can you do to conserve soil?