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WFHS-Soils
Soil Vocab
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Growing Media | the material that provides plants with nourishment and support through their root systems |
| Decomposed | decayed into soil-building materials and nutrients |
| Leaf Mold | partially decomposed plant leaves |
| Compost | mixture of partially decayed organic matter |
| Sphagnum | pale and ashy mosses used to condition soil |
| Peat Moss | a type of organic matter made from sphagnum moss |
| Perlite | natural volcanic glass material having water-holding capabilities |
| Vermiculite | mineral matter used for starting plant seeds and cuttings |
| Leached | certain elements have been washed out of the soil |
| Microbe | living organism that requires the aid of a microscope to be seen |
| Parent Material | the horizon of unconsolidated material from which soil developes |
| Soil Horizon | A distinct layer of soil |
| Soil Profile | a cross section view of the soil |
| Percolation | movement of water through the soil |
| Permeable | permitting movement |
| `O Horizon | the soil layer that is on the surface that is composed of organic matter and a small amount of mineral matter |
| A Horizon | layer near the soil surface that is made up of desirable proportions of mineral and organic matter |
| B Horizon | soil below the A horizon (top soil) and generally referred to as subsoil |
| C Horizon | soil below the B horizon; it is important for storing and releasing water to the upper layers of soil |
| Silt | intermediate soil particles; .05 - .002mm |
| Sand | largest soil particles; 1 to .05mm |
| Loam | a relatively even mixture of sand, silt, and clay |
| Clay | smallest of soil particles; less than .002mm |
| Mineral Matter | non-living matter such as rocks |