1. The Top Layer of the Earth
All About Soil

2. What is soil?
Soil is made up of:
•Rocks
•Minerals
•Water
•Air
•Humus (remains of
dead plants and
animals)

3. Why is soil so important?
• Many types of animals live in the soil
• Decomposers in the soil help turn dead plants
and animals into humus.
• Humus contains the nutrients that plants
need to grow.
• It is a cycle!

4. The Cycle of Nutrients…

5. Quiz Question!
What is humus?
•A) a decomposer in the soil
•B) the remains of dead plants and animals
•C) a type of rock
•D) an animal that lives in the soil

6. Quiz Question!
What is humus?
•A) a decomposer in the soil
•B) the remains of dead plants and animals
•C) a type of rock
•D) an animal that lives in the soil

7. Layers of the Soil
Topsoil
Subsoil
Bedrock
•
http://www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resource/Soil-Profile-Structure-Layers-6212609/

8. Types of Soil
FERTILE
•Fertile soil has lots of humus and water.
•Many plants grow well in fertile soil.
Deciduous
Forest

9. Types of Soil
POOR
Savannah
•Poor soil has little humus and water.
•It has more rocks
•Only hardy plants such as OLIVE TREES grow well.

10. Types of Soil
ARID
•Arid soil has very little humus and water.
•It has lots of rocks or sand
•Only very hardy plants can grow in arid soil, such as a Cactus
Desert