Download Soil Formation Notes - 8thGradeScienceYSMS

Soil Formation Notes
Soil – __________________________________________
________________________________________________.
Soil forms as _____ is broken down by weathering and mixes
with other materials on the surface.
Bedrock is the _____________________________________
Soil Composition
Soil is a mixture of _________________, ______________,
___________________, _________ and ___________.
Types of rock particles and minerals
Depends on:
_____________________________
_____________________________
________, _________ and __________ make up
the portion of the soil that comes from
weathered rock.
Humus is decayed ___________________ that is _______
in color and is formed from the decay of
___________ and ___________ material.
Soil Texture
Soil texture depends on the ____________ of the
individual particles.
Gravel
Sand
Silt
Clay
Diagram
Size
Soil texture is important for plant growth
Clay Soil Characteristics
____________
____________
Hold lots of __________ so plants could “drown”
from lack of air.
Sandy Soil Characteristics
_____________
Water quickly _______ through it and plant can die
from a lack of water.
Loam Soil Characteristics
Equal parts of _________, _________, & _______.
____________ texture
Holds both _______and __________
Best for growing most types of plants
Soil Horizons – ________________________________________
_____________________________________________________.
__________________ – (Horizon A) crumbly, dark
brown soil a mix of humus, clay and other minerals.
___________________ – (Horizon B) consists of clay and
other particles washed down from the topsoil.
_____________ – (Horizon C) partly weathered bedrock.
Rate of Soil Formation
Depends on
_____________
Forms most rapidly in ______, _____ climates
Forms more slowly in ______, _____ climates
______________
Limestone weathers ______________
Granite weathers ________________
Life in Soil
Roles of organisms in the soil
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Litter is the ___________________________________.
Humus forms in a process called ____________________
Decomposition occurs when __________________
_____________________________________
Decomposers are organisms that ______________
_____________________________________.
Kingdoms involved in decomposition
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
Types of Soils in the Untied States
Depends on ___________ and ______________________
Major types include
________________
___________________
________________
____________________
________________
____________________