Soil Vocabulary

3. The breaking down of rocks and materials at Earth’s surface through wind water temperature or chemicals.
5. A naturally formed clump or chunk of soil like a crumb or block that develops as soil particles stick together over time.
9. The top layer of soil rich in organic matter and the best layer for plant growth.
10. Material that comes from living things like decayed plants and animals which helps enrich the soil.
12. How much sand silt and clay a soil has which affects how it feels and behaves.
15. The wearing away and moving of soil or Earth’s surface by wind water or other natural forces.
16. The mix of minerals organic matter air and water on Earth’s surface that supports plant life.
20. The original layer of rock or partly broken down material from which soil forms.
21. The typical weather in an area over a long period of time.
23. How steep or flat the land is usually measured as a percent rise over a distance.

1. New materials added to the soil like dead plants and animals breaking down or sediments brought in by wind and water.
2. Large soil particles that you can see and feel they feel gritty.
4. The loss or removal of soil particles or chemicals by wind water or plant uptake which changes the soil’s makeup.
6. When materials in soil change like sand turning into clay or organic matter breaking down into stable humus.
7. How easily water can flow through soil.
8. When water moves down through the soil being cleaned and filtered as it goes.
9. The shape and features of the land’s surface like hills slopes or valleys.
11. How much open space is between soil particles this space holds air and water for plants.
13. Medium sized soil particles that feel smooth like flour.
14. The movement of soil materials from one place to another usually downward through layers.
17. The tiniest soil particles so small you can’t see them without a microscope. They feel sticky when wet.
18. Any living thing like plants animals insects or microbes.
19. Low growing plants or vegetation that protect the soil from erosion like grasses or cover crops.
22. A natural part of Earth’s surface that includes features like soil climate slope vegetation and topography.