Identification should include
- parent material
- the soil particles (organic and inorganic components)
- sand
- silt
- clay
- organic matter
- soil triangle
- air and water space
- organisms
- soil horizons.
Teacher Resources:
Process/Skill Questions:
- How do soil horizons affect plant growth?
- How does the parent material affect the makeup of soil?
- How can examination of the soil profile give insight into soil fertility?
- What is the regolith on Earth; what is its composition; and how is it formed?
- How can soil particle makeup be determined in a soil sample?
- What effect does air and water space have on the agricultural productivity of a soil?
- How can organisms affect soil quality?
- How does organic matter affect the nutrient- and water-holding capacity of soil?
- What does color indicate about soil?