OF SOIL ON ORGANISMS SOIL TYPES SAND CLAY LOAM All soils have unique properties and characteristics A comparison of clay and sandy soils Characteristic Clay soil Sandy soil Particle size ID: 441265
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Slide1Slide2
THE EFFECT
OF
SOIL ON ORGANISMSSlide3
SOIL TYPES
SAND
CLAY
LOAM
All soils
have unique properties and characteristicsSlide4
A comparison of clay and sandy soils
Characteristic
Clay soil
Sandy soil
Particle size
Small
Large
Aeration
Spaces between particles are small,
so soil if often poorly aerated
Spaces
between particles are large, so soil is usually well aerated
Water holding capacity
Water is held in small spaces by capillary
Water is not held by capillary,
because the spaces are too large
Drainage
Water only drains slowly through small spaces
Water drains quickly through the large spaces
Mineral ions
Many, because they are bound to
the clay particles, slow drainage prevents them from being leached out
Few, because they are quickly leached out as water drains
through Slide5
Loam soil
This soil is a soil which contains a good mixture of clay and sandy soil. It is will hold water and minerals without becoming water logged. It also has a high organic content. Many organisms such as earthworms can be found in soils rich in nutrients. They also help to aerate the soil when they move and contribute organic matter when they excrete or die.Slide6
Waterlogged soils such as swamps
Water logged soil is soil where the air spaces are filled with water. Mangroves are able to survive in waterlogged soils because their roots are above the surface
where it can get sufficient oxygen.Slide7
Dry dessert soil
Plants such as the cactus are able to survive in soils with less water because of adaptations to conserves water. The spines on the cactus are actually leaves. This reduces the surface area so not much water is lost due to evaporation (transpiration).