Leo & Leah

Mairéad Welsh

Hi, my name is Mairead, and today I’m going to tell you all about soil and why it’s so important for us and the environment!

Soil

Soil is a mixture of natural materials like tiny rocks, dead plants, and animal droppings.
 

These things break down over time to create the different layers of soil (click).

Soil is essential because it helps plants grow, provides homes for animals, and even helps filter water.

Soil forms when different things like twigs, leaves, and small pieces of rock mix together.

Over time, these materials break down to create humus, which is rich in nutrients. This is great for plants because they need these nutrients to grow!

Soil has different layers. The top layer is called topsoil, which contains water, air, and humus.

Below that is the subsoil, where plant roots absorb water and nutrients.

This is where most plants grow.

Finally, underneath everything is solid rock, which can eventually break down and turn into new soil.

Many animals live in the soil, like worms and insects.

These creatures eat dead plants and help create more humus.

When they dig in the soil, they loosen it up, allowing more air and water to reach plant roots.

This makes the soil healthier!

Soil is super important for growing food, making things like cement, and even building roads.

We need to take care of it by planting trees and not littering.

Trees protect the soil, and their roots help hold it in place.

Soil keeps us and our planet healthy!

So, that’s why soil is so important.

Without it, plants wouldn’t grow, animals wouldn’t have homes, and we wouldn’t have the food and materials we need.

Thanks for listening to my soil research!

Music: https://www.bensound.com