5.

1 Soil Systems
Significant ideas:
1) The soil system is a dynamic ecosystem that has
inputs, outputs, storages and flows.
2) The quality of soil influences the primary productivity
of an area.

Healthy soils contain complex ecosystems that contain many

species, including highly diverse populations of
microorganisms.
The rhizosphere is the narrow region of soil directly
associated with plant roots and the accompanying
microbiological ecosystem.
Microorganisms living in the rhizosphere are functionally
important to plants.
Species-rich soil ecosystems with many interactions are
more stable than soils with degraded soil ecosystems
5.1 Soil Systems
Big Questions:
• What strengths and weaknesses of the systems
approach and the use of models have been revealed
through this topic?
• To what extent have the solutions emerging from this
topic been directed at preventing environmental
impacts, limiting the extend of the environmental
impacts, or restoring systems in which environmental
impacts have already occurred?
• What value systems can you identify at play in the cases
and approaches to resolving the issues addressed in this
topic?
5.1 Soil Systems
Big Questions:
• In what ways might the solutions explored in this topic
alter your predictions for the state of human societies
and the biosphere some decades from now?
• How does the systems approach help our understanding
of soils and soil processes?
• With respect to soils, how might the environmental
value systems of a large scale commercial farmer differ
from that of a traditional subsistence farmer?
• How might the pressure on soils change over the next
20 years? Give reasons to support your answer.
Understandings
Statement Guidance

5.1U1 The soil system may be illustrated by a soil Studies of specific soil profiles, such as podsol,
profile that has a layered structure are not required.
(horizons).
5.1.U2 Soil system storages include organic matter,
organisms, nutrients, minerals, air and water.
5.1.U3 Transfers of material within the soil, including
biological mixing and leaching (minerals
dissolved in water moving through soil),
contribute to the organization of the soil.
5.1.U4 There are inputs of organic material
including leaf litter and inorganic matter from
parent material, precipitation and energy.
Outputs include uptake by plants and soil
erosion.
5.1.U5 Transformations include decomposition,
weathering and nutrient cycling.
Understandings
Statement Guidance

5.1U6 The structure and properties of sand, clay

and loam soils differ in many ways, including
mineral and nutrient content, drainage,
water-holding capacity, air spaces, biota and
potential to hold organic matter. Each of
these variables is linked to the ability of the
soil to promote primary productivity.
5.1.U7 A soil texture triangle illustrates the Familiarity with the soil texture triangle diagram
differences in composition of soils. used for soil type classification based on the
percentage of sand, silt, and clay in the soil is
required.
Applications and Skills
Statement Guidance
5.1.A1 Outline the transfers, transformations, inputs,
outputs, flows and storages within soil
systems
5.1.A2 Explain how soil can be viewed as an
ecosystem.

5.1.A3 Compare and contrast the structure and

properties of sand, clay and loam soils, with
reference to a soil texture diagram, including
their effect on primary productivity.
5.1U1 The soil system may be illustrated by a soil profile that has
a layered structure (horizons).

Dirt is what’s under your fingernail. Soil is what you find in the earth”

Click on the image and watch the

video clip on All About Soils. Briefly
describe the statement 'From soil
comes everything.'
5.1U1 The soil system may be illustrated by a soil profile that has
a layered structure (horizons).

Watch the video ”Symphony of Soil”. As you

watch the video consider the following:
● Soil structure and properties
● Soil system storages
● Transfers of material within the soil,
● Inputs of energy and matter
● Outputs matter and energy.
● Transformations and transfers
5.1U1 The soil system may be illustrated by a soil profile that has
a layered structure (horizons).

Soil as a System

• The interface between

• Atmosphere (air)
• Lithosphere (rocks)
• Biosphere (living)
• Hydrosphere (water)
• Exists as
• Solid (organic and inorganic)
• Liquid (precipitation)
• Gas (volatiles in atmosphere)
5.1U1 The soil system may be illustrated by a soil profile that has
a layered structure (horizons).

• Factors Affecting Soil Characteristics

• Climate: precipitation/evaporation balance. This balance
determines the dominant direction of water movement.
• Organisms: Soil organisms break down the dead organic
matter and mix it into the upper layers of the soil.
• Relief: The elevation of the land, the aspect of the slope (the
direction it faces) and the angle of the slope, will all impact
the soil.
• Parent material: This is the original material that the soil
develops from. It will either be the bedrock (solid rock) or a
drift deposit (lake or glacial).
• Time: The development of soil is a long and slow process.
Hence, soil is considered non-renewable natural capital.
5.1.U2 Soil system storages include organic matter, organisms,
nutrients, minerals, air and water

Soil as a System

• Mineral matter
• Organic matter
• Air and water
• Mineral matter contain three fractions, sand, silt, clay
• Organic matter contains appreciable quantities of
nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur
• Air and water occupy the pore spaces in salts

hthttp://butane.chem.uiuc.edu/pshapley/Environmental/L28/3.html
5.1.U4 There are inputs of organic materials including leaf litter
and inorganic matter from parent material, precipitation and
energy. Outputs include uptake by plants and soil erosion

• Inputs - organic materials, parent

materials, precipitation, infiltration,
Energy, inorganic matter

• Outputs - leaching, uptake by plants,

mass movement, radiation, erosion

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutrient_cycle
5.1.U3 Transfers of material within the solid, including biological
mixing and leaching (minerals dissolved in water moving through
soil), contribute to the organization of the soil

• Nutrients are carried by water as

it percolates through the soil
matrix

• If water percolates downward

faster than plants can absorb it,
there is a net loss of nutrients

• Soil texture influences leaching

rates:
• Sand soils – lot of pores means
rapid percolation
• Clay soils – minimal pore
space means slow percolation
5.1.U5 Transformations include decomposition, weathering and
nutrient cycling

• Decomposition is the
breakdown of organic,
formerly living matter

• Weathering is the
breakdown of abiotic
minerals and rocks

https://steemit.com/curiousfacts/@pv-p/curious-facts-2-exploring-what-plants-see-smell-and-know
5.1U1 The soil system may be illustrated by a soil profile that has
a layered structure (horizons).

Soils as a System
• Soils role in the
carbon cycle

Complete the diagram in your study guide

5.1U1 The soil system may be illustrated by a soil profile that has
a layered structure (horizons).

Soils as a System
• Open System
• Linked to other systems
• Central role in biogeochemical
cycles
• Short term store for chemical
elements
• Interface between abiotic and
biotic processes

Be ready to draw this systems diagram

5.1.A1 Outline the transfers, transformations, inputs, outputs,
flows and storages within soil systems

• Construct a systems diagram of the following data

5.1.U3 Transfers of material within the solid, including biological
mixing and leaching (minerals dissolved in water moving through
soil), contribute to the organization of the soil
5.1.A2 Explain how soil can be viewed as an ecosystem

Soils as an Ecosystem
• Micro-organisms; macro organisms

As these organisms
eat, grow, and move
through the soil, they
make it possible to
have clean water, clean
air, healthy plants, and
moderated water flow.
Show one example of a soil ecosystem food web. Consider
how these may vary in different parts of the world
O & A horizon inhabitants
Pseudoscorpion
Rove beetle

Centipede
Flatwor
m Ant Ground
Mite beetle
Adult
fly
Roundworm
Fly s
larva Beetle
Mite
e Protozoa
Milliped
e
Springtail

Snail Bacteri
Sowbug Slug a Fungi

Mite
Actinomycetes
Earthwor Organic debris
m
5.1U1 The soil system may be illustrated by a soil profile that has
a layered structure (horizons).
Soil Formation(Succession) Over Time
5.1U1 The soil system may be illustrated by a soil profile that has
a layered structure (horizons).
Soil Formation

Very Slow Process

1. Weathering of rock (mechanical)
2. Deposition of sediments by erosion
(mechanical)
3. Decomposition of organic matter
(chemical)
5.1U1 The soil system may be illustrated by a soil profile that has
a layered structure (horizons).
Soil horizons (layers)
Soil Layers
• O - (Organic) Freshly fallen
leaves, twigs, animal waste, fungi
• A- Mixture of partially
decomposed organic matter
• B- (Subsoil) Nutrients leached
from A “Plant Roots”
• C- (Parent Material) largely
inorganic material

Click on the image for more information

5.1.U6 The structure and properties of sand, clay and loam soils
differ in many ways, including mineral and nutrient content,
drainage, water-holding capacity, air spaces, biota and potential to
hold organic matter. Each of these variables is linked to the ability
of the soil to promote primary productivity
Composition of Soils
• Soils vary in their content of …
• Clay: very fine particles (>0.002mm)
• Silt: fine particles (9.05 – 0.002mm)
• Sand: medium sized particles (0.002 – 0.05mm)
• Gravel: coarse to very coarse particle (< 2mm)

• Soil texture determined by amounts of these components

• If mixture is relatively equal it is a loam
5.1.U6 The structure and properties of sand, clay and loam soils
differ in many ways, including mineral and nutrient content,
drainage, water-holding capacity, air spaces, biota and potential to
hold organic matter. Each of these variables is linked to the ability
of the soil to promote primary productivity
Sand Soils
1. Mineral content: moderate
2. Drainage: highest
3. Water-holding capacity – low, = 10%
4. Air spaces: highest, = 40%
5. Biota: space to live
6. Potential to hold organic matter: high
7. Links to primary production: pure sand = low productivity
5.1.U6 The structure and properties of sand, clay and loam soils
differ in many ways, including mineral and nutrient content,
drainage, water-holding capacity, air spaces, biota and potential to
hold organic matter. Each of these variables is linked to the ability
of the soil to promote primary productivity
Clay Soils
1. Mineral content: limited
2. Drainage: poor
3. Water-holding capacity- highest = 40%
4. Air spaces: lowest = 10%
5. Biota: little space for colonization
6. Potential to hold organic matter: low
7. Links to primary production – waterlogged crops above
5.1.U6 The structure and properties of sand, clay and loam soils
differ in many ways, including mineral and nutrient content,
drainage, water-holding capacity, air spaces, biota and potential to
hold organic matter. Each of these variables is linked to the ability
of the soil to promote primary productivity
Loam Soils
1. Mineral content: high
2. Drainage: intermediate
3. Water-holding capacity: intermediate = 25%
4. Air spaces: intermediate = 15%
5. Biota: highest
6. Potential to hold organic matter - good mix of organic matter
7. Links to primary production – highest productivity in balanced soil
5.1.U6 The structure and properties of sand, clay and loam soils
differ in many ways, including mineral and nutrient content,
drainage, water-holding capacity, air spaces, biota and potential to
hold organic matter. Each of these variables is linked to the ability
of the soil to promote primary productivity
• Note the differences in particle size among
sand, silt, and clay
• Larger particles leave more pore space for air
and water and shown at right
5.1.U7 A soil texture triangle illustrates the differences in
composition

Read each side of the

triangle like an axis on an 100%
X.Y coordinate lane in math. clay 0
Follow each line from the %
of sand=silt-clay, and [lot a cl
8 2
point where the 0 a 0
percentages intersect The y
point identifies the type of Increasin 6 4 Increasin
soil g 0 0 g
si
percentag s percentag
lt
e clay 4 a ysilty 6 e silt
0 cl 0
n
sandy a cl
clay
d
clay a
y loam
2 y
loam y 8
lo
lo si
0 cls 0
aa aa lt
loamy y mm y si
0 s n
lo lt
100% a sand8 d 6 4 2 100%
a
sand n 0 y 0 0 0 silt
d Increasing m
lo
a percentage sand
m
5.1.U7 A soil texture triangle illustrates the differences in
composition
5.1.A3 Compare and contrast the structure and properties of
sand, clay and loam soils, with reference to a soil texture diagram,
including their effect on primary productivity

• One of the best and most easily

accessible measures of overall
soil health and quality is
aggregate stability; another
example of a healthy soil being
more than the sum of its parts.
• Aggregates are the small ‘balls’
of soil that give soil its tilth,
porosity, and water-holding
capacity; they are an emergent
property of a healthy soil
ecology

http://rainalgoma.ca/en/blog/soil-health-and-its-importance-to-your-farm/
5.1.U7 A soil texture triangle illustrates the differences in
composition

This is a great review video from Paul Anderson. Just click on the image