Introducing Soil

Dr. Elissa Levine Talks About The Soil And Its Importance To All Of Us

• Dr. Levine, the Principle Investigating Scientist for soil characterzation for the GLOBE Program talks about the importance of soil, why soil data are important, and how students can take part in soil studies.

Soil and the Seasons

• How does the soil changes over the cycles and seasons of the year.

Soil Conservation

How Much Soil Is There?

• Have you ever wondered just how much soil there is on the Earth to grow plants? Go to "How Much Soil Is There?" to find out.

In the time it took to form one inch of soil...

• Soil can form pretty slowly. Head over here for some perspective on just how slowly soil forms.

Soil Fertility

How Does Your Garden Grow?

• Here is some information on soil fertility.

  Soil Forming Factors

  • Over time, the four factors below form soil.
    • Earth Deposits: A Basis for Creating Landforms and Soil
    • About Minerals
    • Parent Material: The Story Of Rocks and Soil
    • About Weathering

The Nitrogen Cycle

• Nitrogen transformations in soil, water, & air.

The Nitrogen Fate Transformations Game (NFTG)

• Play the game. It's fun and you'll learn a lot!

The Plant Nutrient Team Activity Book

• This is a great activity book for learning about plants and the nutrients that they need to grow and thrive.

Soil pH

• See the pH values of many different plants, trees, fruits and vegetables.

Soils As Electrical Systems

• A learning activity by Larry P Wilding, of Texas A&M University, to show how the soil is an electrical system.

Looking At The Soil Close Up

GLOBE Soil Characterization Protocol PowerPoint Viewgraph downloads

• Go here if you'd like to download the GLOBE Program's Soil Characterization Protocol PowerPoint presentations.

How To Make Soil Models (Monoliths)

• Read all about how to make your own soil model and also see how the professionals make them.

Soil Characterization Field Guide

• Brand new, this field guide can be printed out and used out in the field to complete the GLOBE soil characterization horizon description protocols.

Soil Characterization Protocols: A Step-By-Step Guide

• Here are the step-by-step instructions for the GLOBE Soil Characterization protocols. There are images and instructions to download or print out.
  Field Analysis
  • Introduction
  • Instruments for Field Analysis
  • Finding and Describing Horizons
  • Horizon Properties
  • Soil Sampling
  • Final Analysis Conclusion
  Laboratory Analysis
  • Characterization Laboratory Analysis
  • Instruments for Laboratory Analysis
  • Laboratory Analysis Protocols

Soil Gallery

• Here are some amazing soil profile images from different places.

Soil Judging (And the winner is....)

• Learn about what happens at soil judging contests that take place in colleges across country.

Soil Of The Month

• Take a look at the soil of the month.

Soil Stories (Once Upon A Sandy Loam...)

• Read stories about the soil and how it has affected people's lives.

Texture By Feel (Or How do those soil judges do it anyway?)

• Learn all about how to conduct the soil texture by feel protocol.

Soil Quality

Special Soil In The News Article: Worms (And Their Droppings) Are Big Business

• One of the soil's best friends, the worm, was in the news.

Resources

Books and Videos: A Resource Guide For Students and Teachers

• Here are some great resources to look at if you'd like to learn more about the soil.

Soil In The News Archive

• Check out how the soil has been in the news over the last few years.