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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.
A. My site has loam soil.
B. My soil is not too tight like dense nor too loose like sand, therefore water can flow pretty efficiently through it and bring along all the nutrients that water normally carries.
C. Grasses, trees, shrubs, flowering plants, insects, and larger animals like squirrels are found in my location where this soil is present.
D. The quality of the soil seems to be quite good since many organisms can survive in it. All of the plants that grow from it will provide the soil with richness once the plants die, decomposing and adding nutrients to the soil. The extensive system of roots through the soil likely aid in its quality as well, keeping it moist and fairly loose.
E. It is possible that the soil from my site can be mildly eroded by rainfall or by intense winds during a dry period. Loss of a great quantity of soil would certainly hinder plant growth, but this is unlikely due to the nature of its geographic location. If it will erode as a result of rainfall, the loam would travel down into topographically lower regions of the site where the soil should have a neutral or beneficial effect or it would trickle down into the gutters of the streets that perimeter the location where its affect would either be neutral or otherwise unwanted - say as a result of being drained into said gutters.
F. Soil texture is important for an ecologist to think about because soil in many cases houses primary producers which are greatly important to the chain of organisms that interact with one another at a given location. By knowing the texture of the soil, one can predict the type of plant life that will proliferate and thus be further able to make predictions about the type of herbivores, pollinators, or other organisms that will be present as well.
The soil in my area turned out to be a loamy sand due to its ability to form a ball but inability to withstand a “bounce” lol. This characterizes it as being made of large particles that create an environment susceptible to water loss due to the draining of water between the individual soil particles. Therefore, the nutrients in the water also probably drain through the soil quickly and escape the grasps of the many organisms in the soil.
The location where I grabbed the soil contained weeds, grasses, mosses, insects, worms, and some bushes. These organisms all directly or indirectly take nutrients from the soil and incorporate it into their life processes as anatomical features, metabolic energy, or storage molecules for future use (to name a few). In the end, they also give back everything stored within their body when they die and are decomposed by organisms in the soil.
The soil is most definitely eroded where I took the sample. It was clear that water flows down into the water basin and in the process washes out many of the decaying organic material and associated nutrients into the water source instead of allowing them to sink into the soil for those organisms. The location that receives all of these nutrients probably has a greater ability to sustain more biological life due to its higher concentrations of run-off nutrients from the surrounding areas.
The soil texture silt loam from my capstone area helps the movement of nutrients because it does not hold them like clay would and they do not drain as sand does.
The organisms in my capstone where I collected this soil is tree and plant litter, insect, bird and animal fecal matter, possibly decaying animals.
The organisms in my capstone area effects the soils qualities by adding nutrients to the soil like nitrogen that will help sustain the plantlife that grows here.
The soil that I collected is likely to be eroded because the sample taken was on a small hill with sparse vegetation even though the silt loam does not usually erode easily because of the smaller particle size. The loss in the current location would mean that it would not be able to sustain plant life. The soil would follow my watershed and erode downhill into the creek. The presence of the eroded soil will put a lot of sediment into the creek bed and this can cause problems with fish hatcheries.
As an ecologist it is very important to know the soil texture in the area they are working to know what nutrients are available to the organisms and vegetation in the area. This can tell an ecologist what types of vegetation and organisms can be supported in an area and how those organism will interact with the rest of the habitat.
a) Sandy clay loam was the type of soil found at my site, determined by ribbon length and by grittiness.
b) Since my soil sample was sandy clam loam, it is able to slowly aid water flow and the movement of nutrients.
c) Earthworms were in the area where the soil was collected.
d) Earthworms' activities improve soil's qualities through aeration, water retention, composition, and enrich soil nutrients.
e) No, the soil collected is unlikely to be eroded. Its loss would affect not only the earthworms, but all of the other tiny organism that live in the soil. If it were to erode, it would erode down the hill towards the sidewalk. This new location would thus become the new home for all of the organisms to live.
f) It is important to think about soil textures because it helps ecologist understand how different organisms live and interact in the same environment. It shows how the movement of water and nutrients are and how organisms are depended upon them to survive.
The soil in my location is silt loam.
Silt loam retains nutrients well, while still allowing for the flow of water. There were a lot of decomposing matter and organisms in the area where I collected the soil. I didn't see any insects in the direct area where I collected the soil. Decomposing leaves and other organisms give the soil more nutrients. The soil in my location isn't very likely to erode because it has a thicker consistency than sand but it is not as hard as clay. Its movement would affect the current location by making it more difficult for plants to grow, because this type of soil is very rich in nutrients. The location it moves to would become very rich in nutrients and make it easier for plants to grow.
A. My site has loam soil.
B. My soil is not too tight like dense nor too loose like sand, therefore water can flow pretty efficiently through it and bring along all the nutrients that water normally carries.
C. Grasses, trees, shrubs, flowering plants, insects, and larger animals like squirrels are found in my location where this soil is present.
D. The quality of the soil seems to be quite good since many organisms can survive in it. All of the plants that grow from it will provide the soil with richness once the plants die, decomposing and adding nutrients to the soil. The extensive system of roots through the soil likely aid in its quality as well, keeping it moist and fairly loose.
E. It is possible that the soil from my site can be mildly eroded by rainfall or by intense winds during a dry period. Loss of a great quantity of soil would certainly hinder plant growth, but this is unlikely due to the nature of its geographic location. If it will erode as a result of rainfall, the loam would travel down into topographically lower regions of the site where the soil should have a neutral or beneficial effect or it would trickle down into the gutters of the streets that perimeter the location where its affect would either be neutral or otherwise unwanted - say as a result of being drained into said gutters.
F. Soil texture is important for an ecologist to think about because soil in many cases houses primary producers which are greatly important to the chain of organisms that interact with one another at a given location. By knowing the texture of the soil, one can predict the type of plant life that will proliferate and thus be further able to make predictions about the type of herbivores, pollinators, or other organisms that will be present as well.
Water moves through sand very quickly, as do nutrients. Sand is very grainy and easily allows water to flow through. Many types of organisms were in the area when I collected this sample. They included: bugs, caterpillars, worms, mushrooms, moss, grass, and several types of plants and trees. These organisms probably both add to soil quality and take away from soil nutrients. For example, I know that when certain worms leave their skin? it adds to the quality of the soil. However, there are a few plants around that drain the nutrients from the soil. I collected soil from several different areas so I don't believe that it will be eroded. If the soil is moved or taken away, organisms that balance the soil pH will die out in that area and it will also affect surrounding areas. If it is moved anywhere in my hometown the soil wont be affected because everything is sand.
Soil type clay loam. Very long ribbon formation, very sticky.
Clay loam hinders water flow through the soil, making it hard for water to penetrate and to dry out later.
grasses, wild flowers and larger exposed boulders were near soil sample
the exposed boulders could add to surface runoff, depleting soil of nutrients, grasses will act to hold soil in place, retaining nutrients, wild flowers will also add to retention.
The area is a drainage basin, that in heavy rainfall does produce a small stream. This could lead to nutrients leaving the system.
How nutrients enter and leave system and how fast they can leave. Also affects what type of plants can grow in soil, if nutrients are rich or poor.
Boalttas is approved by various public sector undertaking state governments.our company located in Chennai to carry soil testing to be performed and sample report give to all clients as besides as possible and we are members in Indian geotechnical society.
a) My locations was all sand. I couldn't find sandy loam anywhere.
b) When I dampened the sand to try and make a ball, the water was either absorbed by the sand or ran through my fingers. So I would think that the sand would both aid and hinder water movement of nutrients. I think the sand would absorb as much as it could, but at a certain point it would allow water to run over the sand and transfer nutrients as well.
c) Plants: shrubs, ice plant, trees, calla lilies
Animals: crows, seagulls, mice
d) The birds sift through the sand in order to find food so by over searching it may lower the quality of the soil. The ice plant was planted in order to stop the spread of sand throughout the bay area, it has no real affect on the quality.
e) I think in some parts of this area it may be eroded. I don't think that there is much loss, but if it were to be lost, it would affect the location greatly since it is a beach. The erosion would go into the ocean and be washed away. It would only add to the sand that is already in the ocean.
f) To know what kind of vegetation would grow in this location is one of the most important things to know about a region. Also to know what kind of wildlife would survive in this location.
Water probably moves threw my soil fairly quickly considering its composition according to the USDA texture triangle is 70-85% sand and 10-15% clay. The speed that it moves threw the soil may also be a problem because it may wash nutrients away from the plants and into the creek. I saw a lot of ants around where I took my sample and even though I dug around I was unable to find any earth worms or other critters crawling around in the soil. After doing some research online I discovered that ants would help the soil similar to earthworms. They have been known to create tunnels 15 feet into the earth. That would definitely help aerate the soil and their waste and other bi-products from the plants they collect and fungus they grow would add nutrients to the soil.
The soil is mostly eroded on the banks of the creek. Some parts of the creek have steep banks where you can tell that the soil has broken off into the water. From those points if you follow the stream a little bit and go around a curve you can see where this soil eventually settles out on the opposite bank. I am not sure on the total affect of this erosion because although the one bank is eroding away the other down stream is build so the soil is not really leaving the ecosystem. Eventually over time I know the creek will become so curving that part of it will break off and form and oxbow lake but that could take million of years.
Soil is very important to ecologist it is the building grounds that an ecosystem is formed on. What plants grow there attracts certain herbivores and in turn then attracts certain carnivores to eat those herbivores. Knowing what types of soils plants like also help an ecologist learn about a plants preferences, then the preferences of those herbivores that are attracted to the plants growing and so on. And ecosystem is a continuous circle centered around the soil.
These were the second type of rods. They had already done the soil samples ... this test was to determine the soil density.
Silty Clay Loam (my soil was found under a litter of dead or decomposing organic matter with a lot of moisture, insects, fungi and decomposers. It was very dark in color and very smooth. I had to remove a lot of twigs and leaves from the soil before the test. It was already very compact without the added water)
How does your soil’s texture aid or hinder water flow and the movement of nutrients?
My soil is very adhesive and will hold water, preventing movement. This means that nutrients will not be washed away easily. It also means that the soil will retain water on the top layer of the soil.
What types of organisms are in the area where you collected the soil?
I found many worms, various insects and fungi. The soil was covered in a layer if decomposing material (leaves, twigs, etc)
What effects do these organisms have on the soil’s qualities?
They bring a lot of organic nutrients to the surface and borrow mixing the nutrients more evenly throughout. They also add to the organic matter of the soil by decomposing it.
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?
My soil is silt clay loam so it is mostly adhesive and compact and not very likely to be eroded. It would erode to the lowlands on the site which will be the west part of the land, mostly in the south. I think that my soil would mostly retain water and nutrients with very little movement so that they may build up. (Which would explain the high plant and tree density and very little grass).
As an ecologist why is it important to think about soil texture?
Soil provides the organic matter and nutrients plants and decomposers need to live. Soil determines which organisms will be able to live in a specific ecosystem. They also play a huge part in the storing and moving of water. They are a major part in an ecosystem and define it. They provide a huge array of information on an environment to ecologists (water movement, likely plants, organic matter content, etc)
These were the second type of rods. They had already done the soil samples ... this test was to determine the soil density.
Water moves through sand very quickly, as do nutrients. Sand is very grainy and easily allows water to flow through. Many types of organisms were in the area when I collected this sample. They included: bugs, caterpillars, worms, mushrooms, moss, grass, and several types of plants and trees. These organisms probably both add to soil quality and take away from soil nutrients. For example, I know that when certain worms leave their skin? it adds to the quality of the soil. However, there are a few plants around that drain the nutrients from the soil. I collected soil from several different areas so I don't believe that it will be eroded. If the soil is moved or taken away, organisms that balance the soil pH will die out in that area and it will also affect surrounding areas. If it is moved anywhere in my hometown the soil wont be affected because everything is sand.
My soil texture is that of sand. In some areas, is it mixed with water and looks hard and lumpy. In sand, water flows rapidly because the grains are so small. The movement of water this fast easily distributes nutrients evenly. One disadvantage of this rapid flow of water is that it can lead to leaching where nutrients are actually removed from the soil. I found a lot of worms in the ground. I don’t think the soil in this location will easily erode. There are many organisms that maintain the soil and also because is it in a well supported environment. The texture of the soil is important in determining the type of organisms that will inhabit that area. It also lets us know whether it is a pleasant source of nutrients for organisms as well.
How does your soil’s texture aid or hinder water flow and the movement of nutrients?
Since my soil is less sandy and has more slit and clay, water does not easily penetrate through. Therefore, water may not flow through as easily. If water is not able to move through nutrients will probably not move through easily also.
What types of organisms are in the area where you collected the soil?
In the soil there were plants, ants, spiders, mosquitoes, and worms
What effects do these organisms have on the soil’s qualities?
Organisms would add nutrients and other elements to the soil with their wastes and as they die and decompose. Worms mix and air to the soil when they tunnel through it.
Is the soil you collected likely to be eroded?
Since the soil is on an incline it would easily be eroded if there was a downpour of rain.
How would its loss affect the current
location?
If the soil was eroded it would expose new soil, but also take away organisms and nutrients that were previously in the soil.
Where would it erode to in your site?
It would probably erode to the river, which is where the incline angles to.
How would its presence affect the
location it moves to?
The soil would bring along the nutrients that eroded away and may be able to help the vegetation around it grow better. The soil may fall into the river and then also be carried downstream.
As an ecologist why is it important to think about soil texture?
Soil texture is an important component to think about because the things that make up the soil will control a lot of abiotic factors that are important to the ecosystem. For example, the texture of the soil is important to know the flow of water and nutrients and how deep the water will flow down. Since plants are dependent on water, knowing how porous the soil is.
The soil at my site is loamy. I think because there are a lot of trees at my site that having sand that is more clay-like than sandy helps by grounding the roots so that the trees don’t fall over. Because the trees are on a slope, water needs to be able to be absorbed quickly, which is why it would be good to have sandy soil instead of clay so that the water doesn’t just flow past and down to the bottom of the hill. I think trees, especially large ones like the eucalyptus affect the soil by giving the soil more nutrients, and roots so large that it separates the soil. Also a lot of birds are in the area which can aid in seed dispersal. I don’t think the soil I collected will erode, when I squeezed the soil it stuck together for a bit and then broke up once I hit it into my other hand, but only if I threw it pretty hard. I think this would be helpful to avoid erosion because when the soil gets a little wet, which happens a lot here in SF, then it packs down tight enough that it doesn’t break-up easily. I think it is important to think about soil texture because based off of what the soil is like you can predict what could happen to that area in the future.
I did a soil test of my garden and just could not resist taking a picture of the results. It's like looking in to the soul of your garden. The results are a Neutral pH, medium potash, low nitrogen and medium phosphorous.