ellio187
Elliott_B, ZOL355, 2011, soiltest_2, group_1 (2)
How does your soil’s texture aid or hinder water flow and the movement of nutrients?
I have found that the soil in the my plot is split into two main categories each serving the plot properly. The first mixture is loamy sand. This loamy sand is darker in color as the picture indicates. It is perfect for allowing the movement of water and nutrients through this area of the plot. It covers the portions that are wooded and grass covered. It have a small layer of topsoil that is composed of mostly organic matter. The second area is sandy clay loam. This portion of my plot is where the water flow occurs and the wetland exists. This soil is perfect for holding a body of water and allowing a movement of water to occur because of the lower levels of ground seepage. This will allow nutrients to be held within the water table and also allow a wetland to exist. This soil also acts a natural filter for the water as is leaks into the water table.
What types of organisms are in the area where you collected the soil?
It seems that there is only microbial activity within the sandy clay loam but there are several soil dwelling invertebrates in the loamy sand. I found several earthworms in the first three inches of soil.
What effects do these organisms have on the soil’s qualities?
Microbial activity allows for proper uptake of nutrients from plant roots and also allows the soil to be “filtered” by the microbes. The earthworms and other soil dwelling creatures act to help create fertilizer in the form of worm castings and waste. The soil is only enhanced by its relationship with these creatures.
Is the soil you collected likely to be eroded?
No, the area of my plot is very flat and contains a low area covered by wetland. This water could erode the soil but isn’t because it is not moving water.
How would its loss affect the current location?
If there was erosion then the entire area would be drastically effected. The wetland would not exist and the soil would be changed to a sandier mix.
Where would it erode to in your site?
If erosion occurred it would erode into the wetland filling it in and destroying its water holding ability.
How would its presence affect the location it moves to?
It would take the area that water currently fills and level the land creating a flat wooded area.
As an ecologist why is it important to think about soil texture?
Yes, the soil is what keeps a healthy environment. It allows vegetation to thrive or causes it to die. Soil is the first step to understanding how an ecosystem interacts with its primary producers.
Elliott_B, ZOL355, 2011, soiltest_2, group_1 (2)
How does your soil’s texture aid or hinder water flow and the movement of nutrients?
I have found that the soil in the my plot is split into two main categories each serving the plot properly. The first mixture is loamy sand. This loamy sand is darker in color as the picture indicates. It is perfect for allowing the movement of water and nutrients through this area of the plot. It covers the portions that are wooded and grass covered. It have a small layer of topsoil that is composed of mostly organic matter. The second area is sandy clay loam. This portion of my plot is where the water flow occurs and the wetland exists. This soil is perfect for holding a body of water and allowing a movement of water to occur because of the lower levels of ground seepage. This will allow nutrients to be held within the water table and also allow a wetland to exist. This soil also acts a natural filter for the water as is leaks into the water table.
What types of organisms are in the area where you collected the soil?
It seems that there is only microbial activity within the sandy clay loam but there are several soil dwelling invertebrates in the loamy sand. I found several earthworms in the first three inches of soil.
What effects do these organisms have on the soil’s qualities?
Microbial activity allows for proper uptake of nutrients from plant roots and also allows the soil to be “filtered” by the microbes. The earthworms and other soil dwelling creatures act to help create fertilizer in the form of worm castings and waste. The soil is only enhanced by its relationship with these creatures.
Is the soil you collected likely to be eroded?
No, the area of my plot is very flat and contains a low area covered by wetland. This water could erode the soil but isn’t because it is not moving water.
How would its loss affect the current location?
If there was erosion then the entire area would be drastically effected. The wetland would not exist and the soil would be changed to a sandier mix.
Where would it erode to in your site?
If erosion occurred it would erode into the wetland filling it in and destroying its water holding ability.
How would its presence affect the location it moves to?
It would take the area that water currently fills and level the land creating a flat wooded area.
As an ecologist why is it important to think about soil texture?
Yes, the soil is what keeps a healthy environment. It allows vegetation to thrive or causes it to die. Soil is the first step to understanding how an ecosystem interacts with its primary producers.