Explore tens of thousands of sets crafted by our community.
Layers of the Soil
4
Flashcards
0/4
O Horizon
The O Horizon consists mainly of organic materials, including decomposed leaves, twigs, and other plant and animal materials. It's loose and rich in nutrients, playing a critical role in soil fertility and structure within the ecosystem.
C Horizon
The C Horizon consists mostly of larger pieces of rock that have not undergone much weathering and are slightly altered parent material. Its texture can range from rocks to fine materials and it serves as the foundation for the upper soil layers, impacting water flow and root penetration depth.
A Horizon
The A Horizon, or topsoil, is composed of a mix of organic matter with mineral particles like sand, silt, and clay. It's darker than lower layers and is essential for plant root growth and nutrient uptake.
B Horizon
The B Horizon, or subsoil, contains lower amounts of organic material and higher concentrations of minerals. It has a denser texture due to the accumulation of clay, iron, and aluminum from above layers. This layer is important for water retention and acts as a storage layer for nutrients leached from the A Horizon.
© Hypatia.Tech. 2024 All rights reserved.
