Soil Science and Ecosystem Services

Study Notes

Soil is a natural body composed of solid, liquid, and gases.
Characterized by distinct horizons or layers that support rooted plants in a natural environment.
Dynamic in nature, influenced by climate, biotic activities, and topography over time.
Represents a thin portion of the Earth's crust, containing a mixture of organic and inorganic materials.

Provisioning Services: Provides essential resources such as water, food, medicines, and lumber.
Regulating Services: Purifies water, decomposes waste, and controls pest populations.
Supportive Services: Facilitates nutrient cycling and seed dispersal.
Cultural Services: Offers spiritual uplift, scenic views, and opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Physical Support: Anchors root systems of plants.
Air Quality: Maintains both the quantity and quality of air within the soil.
Water Regulation: Absorbs and retains water in soil pores for plant use.
Temperature Regulation: Insulates root systems against extreme temperatures.
Toxin Protection: Shields plants from harmful substances and suppresses toxin-producing organisms.
Nutrient Supply: Fertile soil provides essential nutrients for crop growth.

Regulates water supply by removing and replenishing moisture through soil layers.
Recycles raw materials through natural processes.
Modifies the atmosphere by absorbing gases, such as carbon dioxide.
Serves as habitat for billions of organisms in a small amount of soil.
Acts as an engineering medium, supporting construction projects and excavations.

Pedology: Focuses on soil as a natural body, studying its formation, evolution, morphology, and classification.
Edaphology: Concentrates on the practical use of soil, particularly in relation to plant growth.

Soil Physics: Examines physical properties and processes of soil.
Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy: Concerns chemical compositions, properties, and reactions in soil.
Soil Microbiology: Studies soil ecology and the microbial population within soil.
Land Use: Focuses on the allocation and utilization of land resources.
Soil Fertility: Evaluates the nutrient supplying capacity of the soil.
Soil Genesis, Morphology, and Classification: Investigates weathering and factors influencing soil formation.
Soil Conservation and Management: Addresses soil protection, erosion control, and chemical deterioration.

Mineral Constituents (45%): Composed primarily of mineral particles making up the solid framework.
Particle Sizes:
- Sand (2.0 - 0.05 mm): Large particles visible to the naked eye, gritty texture.
- Silt (0.05 - 0.002 mm): Small particles, floury feel, not individually visible without a microscope.
- Clay: Extremely small particles with significant influence on soil properties (details not provided).