Part 2: How Soil Is Formed
How soil is formed.
How Soil Is Formed-
Soil Profile
O Horizon- The top layer of soil that is made up of living and decomposed materials like leaves, plants and bugs.This layer is usually dark and thin.
A Horizon- This is the layer that we call "topsoil".This layer is made up of minerals and decomosed organic material.Many plant roots grow here.
B Horizon- This is the layer named "subsoil".It has clay and mineral deposits, aswell as less organic matter.It is a lighter color than the ones above it.
C Horizon- This layer is called "regolith".It is made up of slightly unbroken rock and little organic material.Plant roots do not grow here.
Pictures of These Horizons.
Not conservating soil is a huge pollution problem today.
Soil Conservation
Cover Crops- Crops that are planted between harvests to replace certain nutrients and prevent erosion.
Countour Plowing- The rows of crops act as a series of dams instead of a series of rivers.
Terracing- Terracing changes one steep field into a series of smaller, flatter fields.
No-Till Farming- It is the practice of leaving old stalks, which provides cover from the rain.