Download Soil: Word Cards

bedrock
clay
erosion
The solid rock found under the
surface of the ground. The
bottom layer of soil. Plants do
not grow here, and very few
animals live here.
A component (part) of soil.
When it is wet, it is sticky and can
be shaped. When it is dry, it is
hard and not able to be shaped.
When rocks or soil are worn away
and carried away over time. Erosion
is caused by humans, by the weather,
or by water. Planting grass and trees
can stop soil erosion because the
roots or the plants can hold the soil in
place.
humus
Part of the topsoil that is made
up of decaying animals and
plants. It adds nutrients to the
soil.
loam
A type of soil that has just the
right amount of silt, clay and
sand. It is good to grow plants
in.
soil
subsoil
The top layer of the earth where
plants have their roots. It is made
up of rock, clay, silt and
humus. Soil is a valuable natural
resource that should be
conserved.
The layer of soil lying just under
the topsoil. There are some
rocks and plant roots here.
sand
A component (part) of soil that is
made up of very small grains of
worn-down rock. It does not have
many nutrients and does not hold
water well.
weathering
The effect of being exposed to the
weather for a long time. For
example, when rocks are broken
down into smaller pieces by the wind,
water or ice. It is a natural process.
component
An ingredient (part) of something.
(Example: Humus is one
component of soil.)
topsoil
The top layer of soil. It is filled with
lots of nutrients. Animals, like
worms, live in the topsoil. Plant
roots are in the topsoil too. The
topsoil is the richest layer because it
is filled with humus. Topsoil is the
darkest colored layer of soil.