Across
- 2. - Original mineral material from which soil forms, including rock and mineral deposits.
- 3. - Breaking down of organic material into simpler substances, recycling soil nutrients.
- 4. - Moisture level at which plants can't extract water, leading to wilting.
- 8. - Removal of topsoil by natural forces, degrading soil health and productivity.
- 9. - Invertebrates with exoskeletons and jointed limbs, including insects and spiders.
- 10. Matter - Material from living organisms, decomposing to enrich soil.
- 11. - Beneficial relationship between different organisms, like soil microbes and plant roots.
- 13. - Growing specific crops to improve soil health and manage fertility.
- 14. Cycling - Natural movement and transformation of nutrients in soil, essential for plant growth.
- 15. - Introducing air into soil, crucial for root and microorganism health, often aided by earthworms.
Down
- 1. - Backbone-less animals in soil, like earthworms and insects, aiding in aeration and decomposition.
- 2. - Movement of water through soil, affecting nutrient transport and root access.
- 5. - Tiny, worm-like organisms in soil, some beneficial for plants, others harmful pests.
- 6. - Soil moisture level after excess water drains, crucial for plant water availability.
- 7. - Using natural organisms to control pests, an alternative to chemicals.
- 12. - Microscopic organisms vital for soil health, involved in decomposition and nutrient cycling.