Activity 58: Soil

Different soil layers

Soil consists of different layers. The top layer is organic matter, which means living things like leaves, fungi, and small animals died and are now decomposing in the soil. When something decomposes, it rots and breaks down into small particles. This organic material serves as compost because it is so fertile.

Then there is the topsoil where plants grow. The decomposing organic matter above the topsoil feeds the soil so plants can grow well. Some plants’ roots extend down past this layer into the subsoil. The roots bind the soil so that it does not wash away when it rains.

Paste the words from the learner aid in the correct places. In the subsoil, we ±nd the roots of some plants. It also consists of heavier materials like stones, which settled from above. The further down we go, the harder the ground becomes and the bigger the rocks and other materials we ±nd. This soil is infertile.

Right at the bottom is the bedrock, which is only made of rocks. If all the soil above it washes away, there will be nothing for us to plant in. That is why it is important to continue planting trees and plants – to prevent the soil from washing away. See if you can plant at least one tree every year!