Transcript Soils - Whitman College

SOILS
Different types, different results
What is soil?
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
Soil is the top layer of the earth’s crust that contains
rock, minerals, organic material (dead leaves,
decaying creatures), water, oxygen, and organisms
like bacteria and worms. These things all work
together to produce one of the primary materials
that allows human life to flourish on earth: the dirt
under our feet.
There are lots of different kinds of soil all over the
world
What do plants need from the soil?

Plants need nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium,
but trace amounts of calcium, magnesium, and other
minerals help plants thrive and grow.
How do plants grow in different types of soil?
Sandy Soil
Clay Soil
http://www.junglemusic.net/images/Clay%20Soil,%20Finger%20impre
ssions%20(Small).JPG
http://agricultureguide.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/soapworts1.jpg
More…
Soil Cross-section
http://nre509.wikidot.com/lecture7:vegetational-biomes-exam-questions
Peat Soil
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51688
851@N00/206590974/in/set72157594222951408/
How can we improve soil?

Compost!
 Compost
is decomposed organic matter (your banana
peel, egg shells, grass clippings, leaves, wood chips,
etc).
 Organic matter helps improve moisture retention, water
drainage, soil aeration, and provides an ideal
environment for worms and bacteria
Works cited
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Healthy foods from healthy soils by Elizabeth Patten
and Kathy Lyons
Photo citations underneath pictures
PowerPoint created by Robin Lewis, Environmental
Studies Intern, Whitman College Spring 2010