Soil Formation Process:

• Weathering: Soil is formed from rocks through a process called weathering. Weathering breaks down rocks into smaller particles.

• Physical Weathering: Rocks can be broken down by wind, water, and temperature changes. For example, water freezing in cracks of rocks can cause them to split.

• Chemical Weathering: Chemical reactions can change the minerals in rocks, turning them into different substances.

Role of Organic Matter:

• Decaying Plants and Animals: Dead plants and animals decompose and mix with soil, adding nutrients and forming a layer called humus.

• Humus: Humus is the dark, nutrient-rich part of soil that helps plants grow.

Soil Layers:

• Topsoil (A Horizon): The top layer of soil, rich in organic matter and nutrients. It’s where most plants grow.
• Subsoil (B Horizon): Beneath the topsoil, it contains minerals washed down from above but less organic matter.
• Bedrock (C Horizon): The lowest layer, made of weathered rock, that eventually breaks down into soil.

Soil Components:

• Mineral Particles: Tiny fragments of rocks and minerals.
• Organic Material: Decayed plant and animal matter.
• Air: Spaces between soil particles hold air.
• Water: Soil holds water, which is essential for plant growth.

Importance of Soil:

• Plant Growth: Soil provides nutrients, water, and support for plants.

• Habitat: Soil is home to many organisms like earthworms, insects, and fungi that help in breaking down organic matter.

Soil Formation Time:

• Soil formation is a slow process that can take hundreds or even thousands of years to create a few inches of soil.

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