soil and the soil ecosystem. soil characteristics profiles profiles texture texture classes classes
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Soil and the Soil Soil and the Soil EcosystemEcosystem
Soil CharacteristicsSoil CharacteristicsProfilesProfilesTextureTextureClassesClasses
Soil ProfilesSoil ProfilesA vertical slice through the A vertical slice through the
different horizonsdifferent horizonsHorizons- horizontal layers in Horizons- horizontal layers in
soilsoil
O HorizonO HorizonDead organic matter (detritus)Dead organic matter (detritus)Primary energy source for the Primary energy source for the
soil ecosystemsoil ecosystemHumus- bottom of O, Humus- bottom of O,
advanced decompositionadvanced decomposition
A HorizonA HorizonTopsoil- mixture of mineral soil Topsoil- mixture of mineral soil
and humusand humusRoots presentRoots presentUsually darkUsually dark
E HorizonE HorizonEluviation- leaching minerals Eluviation- leaching minerals
downward by water movementdownward by water movementPale in colorPale in color
B HorizonB HorizonMinerals from A and E Minerals from A and E
deposited heredeposited hereHigh in iron, aluminum, calcium, High in iron, aluminum, calcium,
and othersand othersSubsoilSubsoilHigh clay content, reddish/ High clay content, reddish/
yellowyellow
C HorizonC HorizonParent mineral materialParent mineral materialWeathered rock, glacial Weathered rock, glacial
deposits, volcanic ashdeposits, volcanic ash
Soil TextureSoil TextureSmall StonesSmall StonesSandSandSiltSiltClayClay
Particle SizeParticle SizeSand- 2.0 - 0.02 mmSand- 2.0 - 0.02 mmSilt- 0.02 – 0.002 mmSilt- 0.02 – 0.002 mmClay- <0.002 mmClay- <0.002 mm
LoamLoamCommon proportionCommon proportion40% sand40% sand40% silt40% silt20% clay20% clayTriangleTriangle
PropertiesPropertiesLarger particles have larger Larger particles have larger
spaces separating themspaces separating themSmaller particles have more Smaller particles have more
surface area relative to volumesurface area relative to volumeNutrient ions and water Nutrient ions and water
molecules cling to surfacesmolecules cling to surfaces
Soil ClassesSoil ClassesTaxonomy of soilTaxonomy of soilFour major classesFour major classes
MollisolsMollisolsOxisolsOxisolsAlfisolsAlfisolsAridisolsAridisols
MollisolsMollisolsFertile, dark soilFertile, dark soilTemperate grassland biomeTemperate grassland biomeGood agricultureGood agricultureMidwest US, Ukraine, Russia, Midwest US, Ukraine, Russia,
Mongolia, ArgentinaMongolia, ArgentinaDeep A horizon, rich in topsoilDeep A horizon, rich in topsoil
OxisolsOxisolsTropical rain forestTropical rain forestIron and aluminum oxides in B Iron and aluminum oxides in B
horizonhorizonLittle O horizonLittle O horizonLimited fertility for agricultureLimited fertility for agricultureMinerals leached down by Minerals leached down by
rainfallrainfall
AlfisolsAlfisolsWidespread, moderately Widespread, moderately
weathered forest soilweathered forest soilWell-developed O, A, E, BWell-developed O, A, E, BMoist, temperate forest biomeMoist, temperate forest biomeSuitable for agriculture, need Suitable for agriculture, need
organic matter/fertilizer addedorganic matter/fertilizer added
AridisolsAridisolsDrylands and desertsDrylands and desertsUnstructured verticallyUnstructured verticallyLight coloredLight coloredIrrigation leads to salinizationIrrigation leads to salinization
Article: Windsor SoilsArticle: Windsor SoilsWhat are Windsor soils?What are Windsor soils?Why is this type of soil important Why is this type of soil important
to CT?to CT?What specific crops benefit from What specific crops benefit from
Windsor soils?Windsor soils?How are Windsor soils formed?How are Windsor soils formed?Describe the Windsor soil profile.Describe the Windsor soil profile.