Soil horizonA soil horizon is a layer parallel to the soil surface whose physical, chemical and biological characteristics differ from the layers above and beneath. Horizons are defined in many cases by obvious physical features, mainly colour and texture. These may be described both in absolute terms (particle size distribution for texture, for instance) and in terms relative to the surrounding material, i.e. "coarser" or "sandier" or "darker" than the horizons above and below.
PedologyPedology (from Greek: πέδον, pedon, "soil"; and λόγος, logos, "study") is a discipline within soil science which focuses on understanding and characterizing soil formation, evolution, and the theoretical frameworks for modeling soil bodies, often in the context of the natural environment.
Soil colorSoil color is often the most visually apparent property of soil. While color itself does not influence the behavior or practical use of soils, it does indicate important information about soil organic matter content, mineralogy, moisture, and leaching.
Soil morphologySoil morphology is the branch of soil science dedicated to the technical description of soil, particularly physical properties including texture, color, structure, and consistence. Morphological evaluations of soil are typically performed in the field on a soil profile containing multiple horizons. Along with soil formation and soil classification, soil morphology is considered part of pedology, one of the central disciplines of soil science.
SoilEarth, a natural materialSurface-water-gley developed in glacial till in Northern IrelandSoil, also commonly referred to as earth, is a mixture of organic matter, minerals, gases, water, and organisms that together support the life of plants and soil organisms. Some scientific definitions distinguish dirt from soil by restricting the former term specifically to displaced soil.
Soil structureArrangement of a soil's particles and pore spaces In geotechnical engineering, soil structure describes the arrangement of the solid parts of the soil and of the pore space located between them. It is determined by how individual soil granules clump, bind together, and aggregate, resulting in the arrangement of soil pores between them. Soil has a major influence on water and air movement, biological activity, root growth and seedling emergence.
Soil typeA soil type is a taxonomic unit in soil science. All soils that share a certain set of well-defined properties form a distinctive soil type. Soil type is a technical term of soil classification, the science that deals with the systematic categorization of soils. In hierarchical soil classification systems, soil types mostly belong to the higher or intermediate level.
Soil classificationSoil classification deals with the systematic categorization of soils based on distinguishing characteristics as well as criteria that dictate choices in use. Soil Classification is used in a variety of disciplines such as soil science, engineering, and environmental management, to elevate soil properties and determine the appropriate land use.
Soil surveySoil survey, or soil mapping, is the process of classifying soil types and other soil properties in a given area and geo-encoding such information. BackgroundSoil surveys apply the principles of soil science and draw heavily from geomorphology, theories of soil formation, physical geography, and analysis of vegetation and land use patterns. Primary data for the soil survey are acquired by field sampling and by remote sensing.
Soil textureSoil texture is the identifying quality of the upper layer of earth, which is composed of sand, silt and clay. Soil texture can be determined using qualitative methods such as texture by feel, and quantitative methods such as the hydrometer method based on Stokes' law. Soil texture has agricultural applications such as determining crop suitability and to predict the response of the soil to environmental and management conditions such as drought or calcium (lime) requirements.
BiogeochemistryBiogeochemistry is the scientific discipline that involves the study of the chemical, physical, geological, and biological processes and reactions that govern the composition of the natural environment (including the biosphere, the cryosphere, the hydrosphere, the pedosphere, the atmosphere, and the lithosphere).
AnisotropyAnisotropy () is the structural property of non-uniformity in different directions, as opposed to isotropy. An anisotropic object or pattern has properties that differ according to direction of measurement. For example, many materials exhibit very different physical or mechanical properties when measured along different axes, e.g. absorbance, refractive index, conductivity, and tensile strength.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.