soilrelated

Soil-related topics encompass the study and management of soils, the natural medium for plant growth and a key component of ecosystems. In soil science, soils are examined as dynamic systems that support plant life, regulate water, store carbon, and host diverse organisms. Soils form through the weathering of parent material in combination with climate, organisms, relief, and time, resulting in horizontal layers called horizons. Typical properties include texture (the proportions of sand, silt, and clay), structure, porosity, moisture regime, pH, salinity, and organic matter content.

Fertility and nutrient availability determine the capacity of soils to support crops and natural vegetation. Essential elements include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and micronutrients, whose availability is mediated by mineralogy, pH, microbial activity, and organic matter. Soil biology encompasses bacteria, fungi, archaea, microfauna, and roots, all contributing to decomposition, nutrient cycling, and soil aggregation.

Human activities can degrade soils through erosion, compaction, salinization, contamination, and loss of organic matter. Practices to protect and improve soils include conservation tillage, crop rotation, cover crops, organic amendments, precise irrigation, agroforestry, and erosion control structures. Soil health is a holistic concept emphasizing structure, chemistry, biology, and moisture in sustaining productivity and ecosystem services.

Soil classification and mapping organize soils by properties and formation processes, aiding land-use planning, agriculture, and environmental management. Related disciplines include pedology (study of soils), soil physics, soil chemistry, and soil microbiology, with applications in agriculture, forestry, urban planning, and remediation.