Soil Vocabulary

2. the decayed remains of plants and animals located in the topsoil; provides nutrients needed by plants; Example: forests contain a large amount of this
4. particles of sand, soil, and bits of rock
7. mixture of sand, humus, and clay
8. uppermost layer of soil where plants grow best
9. The slow breaking apart or wearing away of rock into smaller pieces. Causes include: plant roots, water, and wind.
12. type of soil that is made up of the LARGEST particles; water passes through easily

1. the look and feel of soil
3. the layer of soil just below the topsoil
5. The dropping of sediment by wind, gravity, ice, and moving water that slows down.
6. unweathered rock that lies below the subsoil
10. The movement of weathered rock material from one place to another. Causes include: glaciers, moving water, and wind.
11. soil type of soil made up of the SMALLEST particles; water does not pass through this soil easily; can hold a lot of water
12. the loose material that covers much of Earth's surface