robin moore1
soil - sandy loam
a. My soil's texture aids to water flow and the movement of nutrients, as it is sandy loam and consists of lots of organic matter. It slows down infiltration more than sand or gravel, however. Nutrients are present in the soil and allow for lots of plant life, as shown in the picture.
b. The organisms in the area where I collected the soil included lots of grasses, trees nearby, and tons of bugs. A rolly-polly was walking by as I was doing the soil test.
c. These organisms have several effects on the soil's qualities. First off, they probably remove some of the water and nutrients in the soil. In addition, their death and decomposition help to keep it nutrient rich. This soil seems excellent for sustaining life.
d. The soil I collected could be eroded, but it is at a low and flat location so most likely not without the help of other factors. The nearby hill probably experiences some erosion. The loss of this soil would affect the growing potential of the plants, for if the Organic horizon were to disappear, it would be difficult for plants to get a good hold and live successfully. In my site, it is likely that the soil on the hill would erode to the area where the trail is, where it is a lower height and where people walk. The location it would move to, the trail, would then become more enriched in nutrient-rich soils and perhaps the area would level out, be less hilly and be more flat.
e. To an ecologist, it is important to think about soil texture because most autotrophs are reliant on soil to provide a place for roots. If the soil is a different, less hospitable texture, less or different plants would inhabit it, and because plants are primary producers, all the animals that depend on the plant as food or shelter will most likely die out or change. Soil provides a home for the rest of the present ecosystem.
soil - sandy loam
a. My soil's texture aids to water flow and the movement of nutrients, as it is sandy loam and consists of lots of organic matter. It slows down infiltration more than sand or gravel, however. Nutrients are present in the soil and allow for lots of plant life, as shown in the picture.
b. The organisms in the area where I collected the soil included lots of grasses, trees nearby, and tons of bugs. A rolly-polly was walking by as I was doing the soil test.
c. These organisms have several effects on the soil's qualities. First off, they probably remove some of the water and nutrients in the soil. In addition, their death and decomposition help to keep it nutrient rich. This soil seems excellent for sustaining life.
d. The soil I collected could be eroded, but it is at a low and flat location so most likely not without the help of other factors. The nearby hill probably experiences some erosion. The loss of this soil would affect the growing potential of the plants, for if the Organic horizon were to disappear, it would be difficult for plants to get a good hold and live successfully. In my site, it is likely that the soil on the hill would erode to the area where the trail is, where it is a lower height and where people walk. The location it would move to, the trail, would then become more enriched in nutrient-rich soils and perhaps the area would level out, be less hilly and be more flat.
e. To an ecologist, it is important to think about soil texture because most autotrophs are reliant on soil to provide a place for roots. If the soil is a different, less hospitable texture, less or different plants would inhabit it, and because plants are primary producers, all the animals that depend on the plant as food or shelter will most likely die out or change. Soil provides a home for the rest of the present ecosystem.