Get Soil Ain't Dirt: The Many Meanings Of Soil In The ... - Grinnell College - Grinnell

Soil is the loose surface material that covers most land. It consists of inorganic particles and organic matter. Soil provides the structural support for plants used in agriculture and is also their source of water and nutrients.

Remember: there is a difference between soil and dirt. Dirt is what you get on your clothes and hands while working in the soil. Soil is made up of elements that have been decomposing since the earth was created. Soil is composed of bedrock and mountain stones broken down over eons by wind and rain.

Soil is the backbone of our food security. Without healthy soil, farmers wouldn't be able to provide us with feed, fiber, food, and fuel. Just like how a foundation for a home is critical, healthy soil acts as a foundation for plants by supporting plant roots and keeping plants upright for growth.

Soil sampling and analysis can provide useful information about the chemical and physical conditions of soil in a specific location. This information can be used to optimize plant growth, assist in solving soil-related problems, or determine the extend of contamination for a remediation plan.

Dirt is dead. Soil, on the other hand, is teaming with bacteria, fungi, algae and other tiny creatures that are the foundation of a symbiotic ecosystem. Like all living things, soil has health; defined as the continued capacity of soil to function as a diverse living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals and humans.

It provides the medium for the recycling and detoxification of organic materials and for the recycling of many nutrients and global gases. A healthy soil provides a link to plant, animal, and human health.

Soil provides a host of crucial services for both people and the planet. Soil puts food on our plates, purifies our water, protects us against flooding and combats drought. It's also key to tackling climate change as it captures and stores vast amounts of carbon. There is no food security without healthy soils.

Healthy soils are essential for healthy plant growth, human nutrition, and water filtration. Healthy soil supports a landscape that is more resilient to the impacts of drought, flood, or fire. Soil helps to regulate the Earth's climate and stores more carbon than all of the world's forests combined.