Chavez

1. COMPONENTS OF SOIL

- The first component of soil is MINERAL. This is the largest component of soil which
makes up approximately 45% to 49% of the volume. There are two types of Soil Minerals
namely Primary and Secondary minerals. Primary Minerals, such as those found in sand
and silt, are those soil materials that are similar to the parent material from which they
formed. They are often round or irregular in shape. On the other hand, Secondary
Minerals result from the weathering of the primary minerals, which releases important
ions and forms more stable mineral forms such as silicate clay. The second component of
soil is WATER. Water can make up approximately 2% to 50% of the soil volume. Water
is important for transporting nutrients to growing plants and soil organisms and for
facilitating both biological and chemical decomposition. Soil water availability is the
capacity of a particular soil to hold water that is available for plant use. The third
component of soil is ORGANIC MATTER. This is found in soils at levels of
approximately 1% to 5 %. Organic matter is derived from dead plants and animals and as
such has a high capacity to hold onto and/or provide the essential elements and water for
plant growth. Soils that are high in organic matter also have a high CEC and are,
therefore, generally some of the most productive for plant growth. Organic matter also
has a very high "plant available" water-holding capacity, which can enhance the growth
potential of soils with poor water-holding capacity such as sand. Thus, the percent of
decomposed organic matter in or on soils is often used as an indicator of a productive and
fertile soil. The fourth component of soil is GASES. This can make up approximately 2%
to 50% of the soil volume. Oxygen is essential for root and microbe respiration, which
helps support plant growth. Carbon dioxide and nitrogen also are important for
belowground plant functions such as for nitrogen-fixing bacteria. If soils remain
waterlogged (where gas is displaced by excess water), it can prevent root gas exchange
leading to plant death, which is a common concern after floods. The fifth and last
component of soil is MICROORGANISMS. They are found in the soil in very high
numbers but make up much less than 1% of the soil volume. A common estimate is that
one thimble full of topsoil may hold more than 20,000 microbial organisms. The largest
of the these organisms are earthworms and nematodes and the smallest are bacteria,
actinomycetes, algae, and fungi. Microorganisms are the primary decomposers of raw
organic matter. Decomposers consume organic matter, water, and air to recycle raw
organic matter into humus, which is rich in readily available plant nutrients.

2. IMPORTANCE OF SOIL
 - Soil is essential for life because, first, they provide the MEDIUM for PLANT
GROWTH. They support roots and keep them upright for growth. They provide plants
with essential minerals and nutrients. They provide air for gaseous exchange between
roots and atmosphere. They protect plants from erosion and other destructive physical,
biological and chemical activity. And they hold water and maintain adequate aeration.
Second is because they are a HABITAT for many INSECTS and OTHER
ORGANISMS. Insects and microbes (very tiny single-cell organisms) live in the soils
and depend on soils for food and air .Soils are homes to a diverse range of organisms
such as worms and termites. They provide the needed moisture and air for the breakdown
of organic matter. They provide a home for many organisms such as insects to lay and
hatch eggs and rodents to give birth to new offsprings. Third is because they act as a
FILTRATION SYSTEM for SURFACE WATER. After rainfall and snowmelts, water
flows on the earth’s surface to water bodies, but much of it soaks and gets infiltrated into
the ground. As it continues its way downwards through the many layers in the ground, it
is filtered from dust, chemicals and other contaminants. This is why aquifers
(underground water) are one of the purest sources of water. Filtered water also provides
plants with clean, unpolluted water needed for growth. And the fourth and last is because
they CARBON STORE and maintenance of ATMOSPHERIC GASES. Soils help
regulate atmospheric Carbon dioxide (co2) by acting as a carbon store. During
humification , a process where soil organisms form complex and stable organic matter)
some organic matter breakdown do not occur completely, especially in soils like peat,
owing to its high acid and water content. On a global scale, soils contain about twice as
much carbon as the atmosphere and about three times as much as vegetation source. This
results in the accumulation of organic matter in the soil which is high in carbon content.
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and many other nutrients are stored, transformed, and cycled in the
soil.

3. FACTORS THAT CONTROL SOIL FORMATION

- The first factor is TIME. The formation of soils is a continuing process and generally
takes several thousand years for significant changes to take place. The second factor is
CLIMATE. Climate, particularly temperature, precipitation and frost action have a
profound influence on the soil forming processes which occur within a region. The kind
of climate largely determines the nature of the weathering processes that will occur and
the rates of these chemical and physical processes. It directly affects the type of
vegetation in an area which in turn will affect those soil forming processes related to
vegetation. Moisture is sufficient enough to promote leaching of water-soluble material
down through the soil. Cold winter temperatures allow for frost action which physically
break apart rock fragments. The third factor is PARENT MATERIAL. This is the
unconsolidated mineral and organic deposits in which soils are developing. It determines
 the mineralogical composition and contributes largely to the physical and chemical
characteristics of the soil. The kind of parent material also influences the rate at which
soil forming processes take place. The fourth factor is TOPOGRAPHY AND RELIEF.
The shape of the land surface, its slope and position on the landscape, greatly influence
the kinds of soils formed. Soils that developed on higher elevations and sloping areas are
generally excessively drained or well drained. Depth to groundwater is generally greater
than 6 feet and surface runoff is moderate or rapid. Soil profiles within these areas
commonly have a bright colored strong brown to yellowish brown upper solum grading
to a lighter, grayer, unweathered substratum. Soils that occur at lower elevations such as
in swales, adjacent to drainage-ways and water bodies, and within depressions generally
receive surface runoff from higher elevations and often have a seasonal high water table
at a shallow depth. Soil profiles within moderately well drained and poorly drained areas
are mottled with irregular spots of brown, yellow and grey colors. In very poorly drained
areas, where the water table is at or near the surface for prolonged periods, soil profiles
characteristically have a dark-colored organic or organic rich surface layer underlain by a
strongly mottled or gleyed (gray color indicating a reduced condition) subsoil and
substratum. The fifth and final factor is ORGANISMS. All living organisms actively
influence the soil forming process. These organisms include bacteria, fungi, vegetation
and animals. Their major influence is the effect on the chemical and physical
environment of the soils. Some types of micro-organisms promote acid conditions and
change the chemistry of the soil which in turn influences the type of soil forming
processes that take place. Microbial animals decompose organic materials and return the
products of decomposition to the soil. Larger animals such as earthworms and burrowing
animals mix the soil and change its physical characteristics. They generally make the soil
more permeable to air and water. Their waste products cause aggregation of the soil
particles and improve soil structure. Man's activities have significantly altered many areas
of natural soils in the county. The chemical and physical properties, particularly of the
plow layer, have changed with cultivation and the addition of lime and fertilizer.
Artificial drainage and filling have altered the environment of some naturally wet soils.
Of all the animals, man can have the most beneficial or most detrimental impact on the
soil forming processes.

4. HUMAN ACTIVITIES/PRACTICES THAT HARM SOIL

- There are three human activities/practices that harm soil namely overgrazing,
overcropping and deforestation. OVERGRAZING occurs when farmers stock too many
animals such as sheep, cattle or goats on their land. The animals damage the soil surface
by eating the vegetation and either digging into wet soil or compacting dry soil with their
hooves. This can prevent grass growing and slow down the percolation of water through
the soil. This leads to the damaging of the soil structure as the level of nutrients is
 removed and the air between peds is compressed out. This then can reduce the amount of
water between the soil crumbs as the weight and movement of the animals flattens and
compresses the soil. Soils with less vegetation become exposed, drier and prone to
further erosion by the wind and rain. Soils that become drier tend to be vulnerable to the
winds blowing the top soil away. OVERCROPPING is when the land is being
continuously under cultivation and is not allowed to lie fallow between crops. This
constant farming of the land reduces the soils ability to produce valuable humus for soil
fertility as it is constantly being ploughed or stripped for crop growth. The soil becomes
drier and less fertile. While humus is primarily needed for the addition of nutrients and
minerals it is also a valuable source of air and water needed by soil to keep it moist and
aerated. With less humus the soil dries out and is open for wind and rain erosion.
DEFORESTATION is the cutting down of large areas of forests leaving an open,
exposed landscape. Deforestation occurs for many reasons such as the sale of wood,
charcoal or as a source of fuel, while cleared land is used as pasture for livestock,
plantations of commodities, and settlements. The removal of trees without sufficient
reforestation has resulted in damage to habitat, biodiversity loss and aridity (drying of
soil). This human activity quickly accelerates natural erosion in two ways. Firstly the
removal of trees is a removal of nutrients and minerals from the soil as the source of
humus is greatly reduced. The natural dead organic material that supplies the soil with its
humus is generally leaves that have fallen from the trees, animal droppings, tree fruit or
decaying trees in the soil. Secondly, deforestation accelerates soil erosion by leaving
large areas exposed to heavy rainfall (which can cause leaching or flash floods) or wind
erosion. Without the roots of the trees to keep the soil structure in place the soil is loose
and easier to erode.

5. WAYS TO CONSERVE AND PROTECT SOIL

- First is to PLANT TREES. We all know that roots of trees firmly hold on to the soil.
As trees grow tall, they also keep rooting deeper into the soil. As the roots of trees spread
deep into the layers of soil, they hold it tightly, thus preventing soil erosion. Soil under a
vegetative cover is saved from erosion due to wind as this cover acts as a wind barrier.
Second is to BUILD TERRACES. Terracing is a very good method of soil conservation.
A terrace is a leveled section of a hilly cultivated area. Owing to its unique structure, it
prevents rapid surface runoff of water. Terracing gives the landmass a stepped
appearance, thus slowing the washing down of soil. Dry stonewalling is a method used to
create terraces in which stone structures are made without using mortar for binding. Third
is doing the NO-TILL FARMING. The process of preparing soil for plowing is known
as tilling. No-till farming is a way of growing crops without disturbing it through tillage.
The process of tilling is beneficial in mixing fertilizers in the soil, making rows and
preparing the surface for sowing. But the tilling activity can lead to compaction of soil,
 loss of organic matter in the soil and the death of soil organisms. No-till farming is a way
to prevent the soil from this harm. Fourth is through CONTOUR PLOWING. This
practice of farming on slopes takes into account the slope gradient and the elevation of
soil along the slope. It is the method of plowing across the contour lines of a slope. This
method helps in slowing the water runoff and prevents soil from being washed away
along the slope. Contour plowing also helps in percolation of water in the soil. Fifth is
CROP ROTATION. Some pathogens tend to build up in soil if the same crops are
cultivated again and again. Continuous cultivation of the same crop also leads to
imbalance in the fertility demands of the soil. To save the soil from these adverse effects,
crop rotation is practiced. It is a method of growing a series of dissimilar crops in an area.
Crop rotation also helps in the improvement of soil structure and fertility. Sixth is to
MAINTAIN SOIL pH. The contamination of soil by addition of acidic or basic
pollutants and due to acid rains has an adverse effect on the soil pH. Soil pH is an
indicator of the level of nutrients in soil. The uptake of nutrients by plants also depends
on the pH of soil. Maintaining the correct value of soil pH, is thus essential for soil
conservation. Seventh is to WATER THE SOIL. We water plants, we water the crops,
but do we water the soil? We seldom do. Watering soil is a good measure of soil
conservation. Watering the soil along with plants growing in it is a way to prevent soil
erosion caused by wind. Eight is SALINITY MANAGEMENT. The salinity of soil
increases due to excessive accumulation of salts in the soil. This has a negative effect on
the metabolism of crops. The salinity of soil is detrimental to the vegetative life in it. The
death of vegetation leads to soil erosion. Hence, salinity management is an indirect way
of conserving soil. Ninth is to PROMOTE HELPFUL SOIL ORGANISMS. Nitrogen-
fixing and denitrifying bacteria are major constituents of the nitrogen cycle. They live in
soil. Bacteria and fungi help keep the soil healthy. Organisms like earthworms help
decompose organic material in the soil, aid soil aeration and help it maintain porosity.
Rodents help soil the same way. This increases the soil's absorbing capacity. Earthworms,
through soil aeration enhance the availability of macronutrients. These organisms boost
soil fertility and help in soil conservation. Tenth is to GROW INDIGENOUS CROPS.
Planting native crops is beneficial for soil conservation. If non-native plants are grown,
fields should be bordered by indigenous crops to prevent soil erosion, thus achieving soil
conservation.

SOURCES:

https://articles.extension.org/pages/54401/basic-soil-components

https://www.eschooltoday.com/soils/importance-of-soils.html

http://nesoil.com/plymouth/formation.html
http://lcgeography.preswex.ie/how-human-activities-can-accelerate-soil-erosion.html

https://gardenerdy.com/ways-to-conserve-soil