Factors That Affect Soil

Many factors affect the soil—from things we can't control like the weather, to things we can control, like how we humans interact with the soil. The activities here will give you an opportunity to learn about these factors and what kind of impact they can have on the soil.

What Are We Doing?

In these four activities, you will measure and record air temperature and cloud cover at your field site. You will also research the main food sources for some soil critters, match them to the best habitat, and do a close mapping of the soil habitats at your field site.

Dig In!

Use the links below for the activities on the environmental and human factors that affect the soil. All of the activities in this section use the following worksheet:

Want more information before you get started? Read on to find out:

How Does This Help Our Inquiry?

Remember our research question—What is the relationship between the soil's physical properties, environmental and human factors, and soil biodiversity?—or the research question you asked instead. In these activities you will see how climate and human actions can affect the soil. Look at the data you gather in these activities with the data you gather in the activities in Soil Properties. This will help you to see the how the properties of the soil are affected by the surrounding environment. Look at the data you gather in these activities along with the data you gather in Soil Biodiversity. This will help you see how soil life is affected by things that happen in the surrounding environment. The more data you collect, the easier it will be to see the relationships between soil biodiversity, environmental factors, and soil type. Keep all your data in your field journal so that you can easily compare.

Before you begin these activities, print the Factors That Affect the Soil Overview worksheet and place it in your field journal. After you complete each activity, use this sheet to summarize and analyze your results. When you have completed all of the activities in this section, fill in the Big Picture section of the worksheet.

What Do We Need to Know?

Climate and Soil
Climate and soil are important factors in determining the distribution of plants and animals everywhere on Earth, including your neighborhood. Changes in local weather affect when seeds will begin to sprout from the soil and when animals will burrow underground to settle down for the winter months. Therefore, to understand the soil in your area, it is important to understand the local weather and to monitor any changes that might occur. Some weather events and forces, like flooding and erosion, can have dramatic and lasting effects on the soil. Such events can change the composition of the soil and affect the kinds of soil critters that can live there. In addition, normal weather conditions, such as rain, can affect the kinds of soil critters you see on any given day. As you study soil critters in their habitats, it is important to understand how these changes can affect what you find.

Human Impact on the Soil
We humans change the world around us every day. Sometimes, our actions can have unintended consequences on the soil and the critters that live there. Pollution and the dumping of waste, as well as the loss of agricultural land and other soil habitats to development, can cause significant changes in the environment. Such actions can make soils much less hospitable to life and reduce the biodiversity in the area. Our actions can also have a positive impact on the soil. Restoration and preservation efforts, such as replanting native plants, changing land use and preserving wetlands, have reclaimed lost habitats and protected valuable existing habitats. Many people have begun to support a native plant industry, selecting these plants rather than non-native species for their landscaping. These native plants offer natural habitats for many soil creatures. The increasing popularity of organic farming and organic produce has begun to lessen the impact of pesticides and chemical fertilizers on the soil. All of these efforts make a difference in keeping and protecting the soil habitats that soil critters need.

Keeping Soil Healthy
Each of us can do simple things to help keep the soil healthy. Composting organic waste instead of sending it to the landfill helps to return valuable nutrients to the soil. Gardening with native plants, organic fertilizers, and limited pesticides helps to protect your soil. Choosing to buy products from companies that support soil conservation efforts lets them and their competitors know that soil health is important to you. What other ways can you think of to help keep the soil around you healthy?

Why Is This So Important, Anyway?

All life depends, in one way or another, on the soil. Healthy soil supports high biodiversity—both in the soil and in the surrounding environment. Understanding how our actions and other factors affect the soil helps us to make choices that are good for the soil and all the life it supports.

General Tips

  • Be ready to get dirty! You may want to bring an extra pair of shoes to wear while you are doing your field work. Soil study can be messy!
  • Remember to do your soil study at the same time and place each time.
  • Be prepared to do the activities in Soil Properties and Soil Biodiversity at the same time and place as these activities.
  • Be sure to bring your field journal so you can record your observations and all the data you gather.

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