3.

4 SOIL SYSTEM

3.4.1 Outline how soil system integrate aspects of

living system
Soil form at the :
- Interface of the Earth atmosphere, lithosphere (rocks),
biosphere(living matter) and hydrosphere (water)
Soil is made from :

-Soil has matter in all three states :

a. Solid state organs and inorganic matter
b. Liquid state Soil water
c. Gaseous state Soil atmosphere
- Soil is non-renewable resources take long time to
develop.

Precipitation rain, snow,

sleet, or hail that falls to or
condenses on the ground.
Evapotranspiration the
process water is transferred
from the land to
atmosphere by evaporation
from the soil and other
surfaces and by
transpiration from plants.
Infiltration process by
which water on the ground
surface enters the soil

Provide
raw
materials

Medium
for plant
growth

Major
store of
freshwate
r

Functio
ns of
Soil

Habitat

Recycling
of
nutrients

Filter
minerals

Soil
Profile

Soil Forming Process

1. This process involve :
i. Gains and losses of material to and from the profile
ii. Movement of water between the horizons
iii. Chemical transformations within each horizon
2. Soil is open system in a steady state equilibrium
3. Varying constantly due to some factors and processes that
influence them. Examples of processes are weathering,
translocation, organic changes and gleying (waterlogging).

Soil Structure and Properties

Soil structure is defined as the
grouping or arrangement of
primary particles (sand, silt, clay
and organic matter) into larger,
secondary particles called
aggregates or peds.
*Retention = pengekalan

Soil structure depends on :

i. Soil texture (amount of sand, silt and clay)
ii. Dead organic matter
iii. Earthworm activity

1.

Primary productivity of soil :

i. Mineral content
ii. Drainage
iii. Water holding capacity
iv. Air spaces
v. Biota (the animal and plant life of a particular region, habitat,
or geological period)
vi. Potential to hold organic matter

2.

Shrinking Limit = State at which the soil passes from having a

moist to dry appearance.

Plastic

Limit = Occur when each OED is surrounded by a film of

water sufficient to act as a lubricant.

Liquid

Limit = Occurs when there is sufficient water to reduce

cohesion between the pads.

Field

Capacity =

Maximum amount of water that a

particular soil can hold.