2.3.

4 EFFECTS OF ABIOTIC FACTORS

 The abiotic factors that make up the ecosystem ---- soil, water, light, temperature, and
wind
SOIL
WHAT IS SOIL
 Soil is defined as upper layer of the earth’s crust affected by plants and animals.
 This tells us the close association between soil and organisms.
 Remember that the soil contains the materials of the dead bodies of plants and animals
which were broken down by the bacteria and fungi in the process of decomposition.
 This decayed matter forms the HUMUS is a dark decaying organic substance found in
the soil.
 If we examine a handful of soil, some living matter, such as plants, earthworms, and
bacteria may be found.
 But soil is made up mainly of small particles of rock chemically combined with humus.
 Humus gives the soil its brown color.
 The small particles that result from the breaking down of rocks is due to a process called
WEATHERING.
 The type of soil is therefore influenced by two factors: the kind of rock from which is
forms and the amount of humus it contain.
SOIL FORMATION
• Mixture of different products of weathering and non-decaying organic matter, known as
Humus, make up the soil.
• This readily movable mixture is found on top of a stable layer of bedrock.
• Different soil types are identified based on certain factors such as the type of parent rock.
• (climate, period of accumulation, elevation, amount of rainfall, and other environmental
variables.)
• Soil are categorized based on different characteristics.
• Soil texture depends on the composition of the soil mixture.
• Differences in size of particles in a mixture determine the consistency of the soil.
SOIL CLASSIFIED INTO SIX TYPES
1. Sandy soil 3.Clay soil 5. Peaty Soil
2. Silty soil 4. Loamy soil 6. Chalky soil
Clay Soil Loamy Soil

Sandy Soil Silty Soil

 Chalky Soil
Peaty Soil

CHARACTERISTIC OF SOIL
 Soil differ in texture, moisture content, Ph content, structure and color.
SOIL TEXTURE
 According to its texture, soil can be classified as clay (consisting of fine particles), sandy soil
(composed of coarse particle), silty (made of medium – sized particles) and loamy soil ( a
mixture of clay, sand, and silt).
 Peaty soil
a compact brownish deposit of partially decomposed vegetable matter saturated with water: found
in uplands and bogs in temperate and cold regions and used as a fuel (when dried) and as a fertiliz
er.
 Chalky Soil Sometimes called basic soils, they are always very alkaline. Chalk is a solid, soft rock
which breaks down easily. It is very free draining, and chalky soils hold little water and dry out
easily.
 The texture of the soil affects the amount of water and nutrients it can hold
EX:
o Clay consist of small particles that fit closely, so the pores of space between the particles
are small.
o Water entering the pores is bold together by surface tension and cannot easily drip from
the soil.
 Therefore, a clay soil often damp and poorly drained.
 In sandy soil, water moves downward more easily hence this type of soil dries out quickly.
 Sandy soil is known as the hungry soil.
 Silty soil consist of particles of rocks and minerals whose size lies between the microscopic
clay larger sand and grains.
 Loamy soil is also well drained but is not as hungry as the sandy soil.
 In loamy soil, there is good aeration, good drainage, and considerable amount of humus.
 Therefore, it makes up some of the most fertile farmland.
 Peaty soil Organic soils consist predominantly of vegetative materials in various stages of decomposition or
preservation. In Southeast Asia, most organic soils can be found near the ground surface overlying or embedded
within soft clay deposits.

 Chalky soil is comprised mostly of calcium carbonate from sediment that has built up over time. It is usually
shallow, stony, and dries out quickly. This soil is alkaline with pH levels between 7.1 and 10. In areas with large
deposits of chalk, well water will be hard water.

MOISTURE CONTENT
 The moisture content of the soil is influence by several factors like texture, amount of rainfall,
 Soil with high moisture content is found on flat land because water does not easily drain
away.
 This kind is also found in valley bottoms and in mountainous areas with high rainfall.
 If the underlying rock type is impermeability or does not allow water to drain away the
soil is damp.
 The moisture content of the soil can be altered by means of irrigation.
 Methods of cultivation can be affect the soil moisture.
 Plowing the field when it is very damp can smear the particles together thus forming an
impermeability layer.
 Likewise, when tractors or cattle press down on damp soil, the soil gets heavily
compressed so that very little rain water sinks. This effort is known poaching.
ACIDITY
 The main purpose of fertilizers is to change the chemical composition of the soil in order
to improve the growth of plants.
 However, too much fertilizer can harm the soil. It destroys the soil’s natural capacity to
fertilize itself.
 The kinds of soil containing a large amount of lime are generally alkaline while those with
large amount of granite are acidic.
 The acidity of the soil is expressed as its pH.
 pH represents the concentration of the hydrogen ion.
 pH values ranging from 1 to 6 are considered acidic while values from 8 to 14 are basic.
SOIL STRUCTURE
 The structure of the soil refers to the arrangement of its particles which build up larger
soil structure called ped (see fig. 2.14)
 It between peds are cracks which allow the movement of air and water.
 A damage to these peds will result in poor drainage and the soil can become waterlogged.
WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF SOIL?
 The soil is one of the earth most precious resources.
 It serves as a habitat for many organisms like the plants, bacteria, earthworms, ants, and
others.
EX:
o Plants must be anchored firmly on the soil in order to avoid being eroded.
 o Most plants absorb water through their roots.
 Therefore, the soil must provide adequate supply of water.
 Due to the process of weathering and decomposition, organic and inorganic compounds
are found in the soil, serving as nutrient for the plants.
 Organic compounds contain carbon while inorganic compounds do not have carbon.
 To allow the respiration of roots and the other decomposer organisms, the soil must have
sufficient air supply

******** TO BE CONTUINUE ( WATER H2O) **********

POST – TEST ( WEEK 7/8)
QUIZ (ESSAY)
Instruction: Explain/Discuss briefly and concisely the following
1. What is soil texture?
2. What is humus?
3. What factors influence the type of soil?
4. Describe the water – holding capacity of each type of soil.
5. What factors affect soil moisture?
6. How may the moisture content of the soil be altered?
7. What is soil pH?
8. How does pH affect the soil?
9. What values of the pH considered acidic?
10. What values of the pH are considered basic or alkaline?
11. What is soil?
12. How is soil formed?
13. Explain the physical characteristics of the soil?
14. Give the importance of soil