Soil and Ecosystems

Which soil do plants grow best in?

• clay

• silt

• loam

• sand

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Label the layers of soil.

a

b

c

topsoil

bedrock

subsoil

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

​ ​ (a)   is sticky when wet, smooth and hard when dry?

• Clay
• Humus
• Silt
• Sand

​ (a)   does not hold water well.

• Sand
• loam
• clay
• Humus

Matching

• Weathering

• Soil that is formed when other plants, animals, and other organisms die and breakdown

• Silt

• the breakdown of once living plants and animals

• Humus

• particles made of rock and mineral particles that are so tiny they are hard to see.

• Decomposition

• the breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

Select all that help make topsoil.

• Recycled plastic

• decay of plants

• weathering of rocks

• decomposition of animals

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Many plants cannot grow in sandy soil. Why?

• Sandy soil does not hold enough water.

• Oxygen cannot pass through sandy soil.

• Roots cannot easily push through clay soil.

• Sandy soil has too many nutrients.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Humus is important because...

• It contains toxic waste
• It contains acids and bases
• It breaks down rocks
• It helps plants grow

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Which one will help make the soil?

• Volcanic eruptions that make new land

• Building up of snow in very cold areas

• Migration of animals to warmer climates

• Breaking down of rock by wind, water, and ice

Soil is composed of all of these EXCEPT

• weathered rock

• plant matter

• plastic substances

• animal remains