Tag: soil as a natural resource

Weathering is the primary geological process that breaks down rocks into smaller particles, which eventually become the mineral component of soil.

• Soil nature is described in pH values. It can be alkaline, acidic or neutral. 
• Highly acidic and highly saline soil often remains injurious for plant growth, microorganisms, etc. 
• Soil pH strongly affects microbial activities. Neutral or slightly acidic soil (5.5-6.5) remains best for the growth of the majority of plants.

The lithosphere is the solid portion of the Earth. It is a dense shell of material, that surrounds the entire planet. Even though most of the Earth's surface is covered with water, underneath, that water is a solid layer of rock. With the exception of ice, basically any solid non-organic material on the Earth is from the lithosphere. This includes soil, rocks, sand, etc.

Soil, as we know an important abiotic component of our environment. It provides nutrition and water to grow crops. They hold the roots of the trees and are extremely necessary for the proper growth of plants and trees. In the absence of proper nutrients in the soil, the plants and trees show nutritional deficiencies and retarded growth.

The roots of the plants are held firmly in the soil. Different types of soil have different texture and particles. They have different levels of minerals and nutrients embedded in them. Roots absorb water from the soil by the process of osmosis. Along with water, mineral nutrients also enter the soil.

Tectonic is the study of the earth's crust. Tectonics is concerned with the processes which control the structure and properties of the Earth's crust, and its evolution through time. It was considered that earth was made up of tectonic plates. Tectonics also provides a framework to understand the earthquake and volcanic belts which directly affect much of the global population. Tectonic studies are important for understanding erosion patterns in geomorphology and search for petroleum and metallic ores. 

Mulching refers to covering of harvested field with plant litter or polythene of low density, in order to decrease run off, prevent growth of weeds and retention of water.

• Pedology is the study of soils in their natural environment. It is one of two main branches of soil science.
  
• Physiology is the branch of biology that deals with the normal functions and processes of living organisms and their parts.
• Kinesiology is the scientific study of human or non-human body movement. Kinesiology addresses the physiological, biomechanical, and psychological dynamic principles and mechanisms of movement.
  
• Limnology is the study of the biological, chemical, and physical features of lakes and other bodies of fresh water.

Soil is the uppermost layer of the Earth's crust that supports plant life and provides essential nutrients, water, and anchorage for organisms.

Pedology is the study of soils in their natural environment. It is one of two main branches of soil science, the other being edaphology. Pedology deals with pedogenesis, soil morphology, and soil classification, while edaphology studies the way soils influence plants, fungi, and other living things. The quantitative branch of pedology is called pedometrics. Hence, pedology is the science of soil.