finneram
Soil Test
How does your soil’s texture aid or hinder water flow and the movement of nutrients?
My soil's texture aids with the flow of water and nutrients because since it has clay it provides more nutrients for the plants and it being a loam allows it to retains nutrients well and retains water while still allowing the water to move freely.
What types of organisms are in the area where you collected the soil?
The area I went to there were a lot of trees, brush and decomposing leaves and sticks. I didnt see any bugs in the area I got the dirt from.
What effects do these organisms have on the soil’s qualities?
The decomposing material helps put nutrients back into the soil to provide to the still living plants. The trees would be helpful to keep the ground from eroding and flooding since they absorb the water.
Is the soil you collected likely to be eroded? How would its loss affect the current location? Where would it erode to in your site? How would its presence affect the location it moves to?
I dont think the soil I got is very likely to be eroded. The area I collected from is flat and there are a lot of trees to help keep soil in place. Loss of soil from my area would take away nutrient from the trees and plants, causing them to possibly die. Since the plot I was at is flat there isnt really anywhere the water can go so it would just sit there most likely. There is a river running along the edge of the forest so a lot of the water around there would go into the river. I wasnt around that area though. Where ever the soil does move to in my area would probably provide extra nutrient to that area and cause healthier plants.
As an ecologist why is it important to think about soil texture?
It is important to think about the soil texture because it is the basis of your entire ecosystem. The soil determines what plant life grows, which determines what organisms such as bugs and animals can live there. If you dont know what type of soil you have you wont know what type of life it can support.
Soil Test
How does your soil’s texture aid or hinder water flow and the movement of nutrients?
My soil's texture aids with the flow of water and nutrients because since it has clay it provides more nutrients for the plants and it being a loam allows it to retains nutrients well and retains water while still allowing the water to move freely.
What types of organisms are in the area where you collected the soil?
The area I went to there were a lot of trees, brush and decomposing leaves and sticks. I didnt see any bugs in the area I got the dirt from.
What effects do these organisms have on the soil’s qualities?
The decomposing material helps put nutrients back into the soil to provide to the still living plants. The trees would be helpful to keep the ground from eroding and flooding since they absorb the water.
Is the soil you collected likely to be eroded? How would its loss affect the current location? Where would it erode to in your site? How would its presence affect the location it moves to?
I dont think the soil I got is very likely to be eroded. The area I collected from is flat and there are a lot of trees to help keep soil in place. Loss of soil from my area would take away nutrient from the trees and plants, causing them to possibly die. Since the plot I was at is flat there isnt really anywhere the water can go so it would just sit there most likely. There is a river running along the edge of the forest so a lot of the water around there would go into the river. I wasnt around that area though. Where ever the soil does move to in my area would probably provide extra nutrient to that area and cause healthier plants.
As an ecologist why is it important to think about soil texture?
It is important to think about the soil texture because it is the basis of your entire ecosystem. The soil determines what plant life grows, which determines what organisms such as bugs and animals can live there. If you dont know what type of soil you have you wont know what type of life it can support.