Soil Review

Front

Topmost layer of soil. It contains living material, plants, and decaying leaves. This layer is thin and very dark in color.

Back

Humus

Front

Made mostly of minerals, and plant roots. This layer is dark in color due to the amount of decaying plant and animal matter.

Back

Topsoil

Front

Made of sand, silt, and clay. May contain longer roots. It is lighter in color (reddish brown).

Back

Subsoil

Front

Rock that has been slightly weathered. Not many living things. (yellowish brown).

Back

Parent Material

Front

The lowest layer of soil. It is a solid layer of rock beneath the soil.

Back

Bedrock

Front

The breaking down of rocks

Back

weathering

Front

Any substance that is made of living things or the remains of living things

Back

organic matter

Front

The largest particle of soil, rough and gritty. It is good for drainage because it dries quickly.

Back

sand

Front

Medium soil particle, smooth and powdery, making water and air difficult to pass through when packed down.

Back

silt

Front

What are the smallest particles that make up soil, hold a lot of nutrients but can make soil heavy and not good for plants?

Back

clay