ASP Lesson 2.1 Understanding Soil Properties

A phylum or division of the animal kingdom; includes insects, spiders, and Crustacea; characterized by a coating which serves as an external skeleton and by legs with distinct movable segments or joints.

• Clay

• Arthropod

• Bacteria

• Bedrock

single-celled microorganisms; some cause human, animal, or plant diseases; others are beneficial.

• Clay

• Arthropod

• Bacteria

• Bedrock

Unweathered hard rock that lies directly beneath the soil layers or beneath superficial geological deposits, such as glacial drift.

• Clay

• Arthropod

• Bacteria

• Bedrock

A size term denoting particles, regardless of mineral composition, with a diameter less than two microns.

• Clay

• Arthropod

• Bacteria

• Bedrock

Plantlike organisms that have no chlorophyll; they get their nourishment from living or decaying organic matter.

• Gravel

• Horizon

• Fungi

• Ground cover

Accumulation of water-worn pebbles larger than two millimeters in diameter.

• Gravel

• Horizon

• Fungi

• Ground cover

Any vegetation that grows close to the ground, producing protection for the soil.

• Gravel

• Horizon

• Fungi

• Ground cover

A layer of soil, approximately parallel to the surface, having distinct characteristics produced by soilforming processes.

• Gravel

• Horizon

• Fungi

• Ground cover

The relative degree of downward movement of water in a soil. Also called permeability.

• Irrigation

• Loam

• Leaching

• Internal drainage

The artificial application of water to soil for the purpose of increasing plant production.

• Irrigation

• Loam

• Leaching

• Internal drainage