PLNT 1213 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Soil Texture, Ecosystem Services, Humus
Document Summary
Soil: unconsolidated material at or near the earth"s surface, which serves as a natural medium for plant growth. Mollisols (productive, dark due to organic matter) Vertisols (high fertility, can be unforgiving, high in clay) Mineral matter: can have large mineral particles (sand) or very small mineral particles (clay) Organic matter: organic matter: decomposed remains of organisms that have been incorporated into the soil, soil with high organic matter is very productive; dark in color. Peat rich in carbon; >50% organic matter. Highly productive soil needs a balance between soil, water, and air space roots should be hydrated, not flooded (with the exception of paddy rice) Climate: affects the rate of soil formation and the type of soil formed. Direct: high rainfall and high temperature leads to faster weathering. Indirect: the type of vegetation that the climate supports. Biota: biota: living plants and animals on the surface of the soil, vegetation determines the amount of organic matter deposited into the soil.
