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Unit 1: Lesson 5 Soil Formation

The document discusses how soil is formed through the weathering of parent rock and mixing with organic matter. It describes the main factors that affect soil formation rates and the typical soil horizons of A, B, and C. Properties of soil like texture, color, pore space and fertility are also outlined.

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Windy Calimlim
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74 views

Unit 1: Lesson 5 Soil Formation

The document discusses how soil is formed through the weathering of parent rock and mixing with organic matter. It describes the main factors that affect soil formation rates and the typical soil horizons of A, B, and C. Properties of soil like texture, color, pore space and fertility are also outlined.

Uploaded by

Windy Calimlim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Unit 1 Lesson 5 Soil Formation

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company


Unit 1 Lesson 5 Soil Formation

The Dirt on Soil


What causes soil to form?
• Soil is a loose mixture of rock fragments, organic
matter, water, and air that can support the growth
of vegetation.

• The first step in soil formation is the weathering of


parent rock into smaller pieces.

• Eventually, very small particles from parent rock


are mixed in with organic matter to form soil.

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company


Unit 1 Lesson 5 Soil Formation

What causes soil to form?


• Rock is broken down by weathering and plant root
growth to form sediment.

• The type of sediment in soil depends on what


rocks are in the area. This helps to explain why
soils differ from place to place.

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company


Unit 1 Lesson 5 Soil Formation

What causes soil to form?


• Some microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi,
decompose the remains of plants and animals.

• These remains are decayed organic matter called


humus. It contains nutrients that plants need to
grow.

• Larger animals, such as earthworms and moles,


loosen and mix the soil as they burrow, increasing
the air in the soil and its ability to drain water.

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company


Unit 1 Lesson 5 Soil Formation

Thick Tops, Rocky Bottoms


What factors determine how long it
takes for soils to form?
• Four main factors determine how long it takes for
soil formation and development.

• These factors include parent rock type, climate,


topography, and plants and animals.

• Rock type: The rate of weathering depends on the


structure of the rock and minerals that make up
the rock.

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company


Unit 1 Lesson 5 Soil Formation

What factors determine how long it


takes for soils to form?
• Climate: Soil usually develops more quickly in
warm, wet areas than in cold, dry areas.

• Topography: Soils usually develop faster in flatter


areas where sediments are not easily eroded.

• Plants and animals: Without a lot of plants and


animals, soil tends to develop slowly.

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company


Unit 1 Lesson 5 Soil Formation

What are the main soil horizons?


• A vertical section of soil that shows all the
different layers is called a soil profile.

• Each layer in the soil profile that has different


physical properties is called a soil horizon.

• The main horizons include the A horizon, B


horizon, and C horizon.

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company


Unit 1 Lesson 5 Soil Formation

What are the main soil horizons?


• The A horizon is the topmost layer of soil, often
referred to as topsoil. It contains the most humus.

• The B horizon lies under the A horizon and has


less humus. Water carries material from the A to
the B horizon, in a process called leaching.

• The C horizon lies below the B horizon and directly


above the parent rock. It contains the largest rock
fragments and usually no organic matter.

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company


Unit 1 Lesson 5 Soil Formation

All About Soil


What are some properties of soil?
• Soil properties are used to classify different soils.
These properties include soil texture, color,
chemistry, pore space, and fertility.

• Soil texture describes the relative amounts of


differently sized soil particles.

• Soil particles are classified as sand (largest


particles), silt, or clay (smallest particles).

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company


Unit 1 Lesson 5 Soil Formation

What are some properties of soil?


• Soil color depends on the minerals and organic
matter that make up the soil.

• Soil pH is a measure of how acidic or basic the soil


is. Soil pH depends on the minerals, sediment,
and organic matter found in the soil.

• Pore space describes the spaces between soil


particles. Water and air are found in the pore
spaces of soils.

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company


Unit 1 Lesson 5 Soil Formation

What are some properties of soil?


• How does the pore space of the soil on the left
compare to that of the soil on the right?

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company


Unit 1 Lesson 5 Soil Formation

What are some properties of soil?


• Soil fertility describes how well a soil can support
plant growth.

• Soil fertility depends on the climate and


topography of the area, and the amount of
humus, minerals, and nutrients in the soil.

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

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