Introduction: Function of soils

Amber Anderson

Learning Objectives
  • Define soil and soil science
  • Discuss soil functions
  • Summarize the importance of soil
Keywords: ecosystem services, soil science, soil functions

We may take what lies below our feet for granted, but soils are critical to our everyday life. From the food we eat, buildings we take refuge within, products we use, even to antibiotics we rely on, soils supply far more than we initially imagine.

What is soil?

Several definitions exist. We will start with the pair below:

The unconsolidated mineral or organic matter on the surface of the Earth that has been subjected to and shows effects of genetic and environmental factors of: climate (including water and temperature effects), and macro- and microorganisms, conditioned by relief, acting on parent material over a period of time. A product-soil differs from the material from which it is derived in many physical, chemical, biological, and morphological properties and characteristics.”

― Soil Science Society of America[1]

“Soil is a natural body comprised of solids (minerals and organic matter), liquid, and gases that occurs on the land surface, occupies space, and is characterized by one or both of the following: horizons, or layers, that are distinguishable from the initial material as a result of additions, losses, transfers, and transformations of energy and matter or the ability to support rooted plants in a natural environment.”

― Soil Taxonomy, second edition [2]

Overall, we see the important components, a medium that supports a variety of functions on which plants and animals rely. These diverse functions can be grouped into a few major categories according to the Soil Science Society of America: products, resources, culture, and environment.[3]

Products

Clay is being harvested and formed into shapes to then be placed on in a tower around a fire to be made into bricks. The oven site has smoke coming out of the top.
Clay being harvested near Kamuli, Uganda, is being made into bricks in this oven on site. Photo credit: Amber Anderson.

Straightforward uses like the majority of food production, building materials like clay to make bricks, and unexpected items like many of the antibiotics that we rely on are all derived from the soil. In the case of plant growth, soil provides the physical structure, many nutrients, water, and insulation from changing temperatures that allow for plants to grow and produce.

Resources

Holding water and carbon are also critical functions of soil. Consider a situation where the soil did not hold water for plant growth. Management and production of crops would suddenly be far more complicated. Carbon is also important within the soil and will be covered in a later chapter of this book.

Culture

While it might not be obvious, soils are also important for cultural aspects such as recreation. Central campus with its open space for enjoying nice weather, the intramural fields that host a variety of activities, or Reiman Gardens displaying a diversity of plants, flowers and artistic displays, all rely on soil properties and functions to exist.

Environment

Additional benefits of soil come from the soil’s ability to filter water, hold water to avoid flooding, recycle waste, and other ecological services. A variety of interactions will be covered over the course of this semester.

Soil science, or pedology, is the study of this amazing resource.

I’m looking forward to sharing with you this semester, and looking forward to you sharing your observations as well!

Check it out!
Soils don’t all function the same, even for a similar use, or in a similar area:
Key Takeaways
  • Soils are critical in a variety of different ways
  • General functions can fall into production, resource, cultural, and environmental categories
  • Wooo! Soil! Get excited to learn more about soil this semester!

  1. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/edu/?cid=nrcs142p2_054280
  2. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/edu/?cid=nrcs142p2_054280
  3. https://www.soils.org/files/science-policy/issues/reports/sssa-soils-eco-serv.pdf
  4. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/oregon/soil-your-undies-challenge
  5. https://www.marioncountyiowa.gov/files/conservation/soil_your_undies_for_soil_health_70282.pdf

License

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Introduction to Soil Science Copyright © 2023 by Amber Anderson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.