Soil as a Resource

Soil is the thin layer found on the surface of earth crust made from weathering of rocks over a while. Soil is made up of many minerals, organic and inorganic materials, air, water, living organisms with the influence of climate, all these factors interacting over time. As these factors vary from place to place, we can see the variation in soil too, like the tropical region has a thin layer of soil with fewer nutrients, whereas the grasslands have rich and fertile soil. The quality of soil can depend on how and where it is formed. 

Soil is formed in a layered structure, the top layer of soil which is basically found on the surface is called TopSoil it is rich in minerals and organic matter. The next layer of soil is called subsoil where humid materials, iron, clay, and aluminium are found. The last layer is bedrock.  Soil resources are as important as water and air resources. Soil is a habitat for organisms, it is a medium of plant and food growth and also functions as a modifier of the earth’s atmosphere.

Soil is a non-renewable resource, which means if it gets exhausted then it would not re-generate within human years. That is why the preservation of soil resources is very essential. Soil performs a very important role in the ecosystem it provides, water, oxygen, and minerals that helps plants to grow. All organisms, including humans, depend upon soil resources. 

Soil Erosion 

When the wind and water causes the displacement or washes away the top layer of soil it is called soil erosion. The loss of the top layer causes degradation of the quality of soil, then it will not be able to provide minerals to plants. It will reduce the crop yielding potential of land, the groundwater level will go down, and can cause sinkholes.  

Soil erosion is a gradual process mostly done by the natural agent’s wind, water, and snow. Human interference can also cause the process of soil erosion like intensive agriculture, deforestation, building civilization, and more. The most effective method for soil conservation is increasing vegetative and afforestation. Planting more trees will prevent the wind and water from eroding the top layer of soil. Crop rotation and mixed crop cultivation also significantly help in preserving the fertile layer of the soil. Shelterbelts or windbreaker is an improved way of conserving soil, in this technique rows of trees are planted along the edge of the fields, to shield the soil from wind and water. For the environment to work sustainably, the soil resource has an important role, it grows food and promotes a healthier and cleaner climate.  

Types of soil 

Alluvial Soil

Alluvial soil is generally formed from the deposition of floodwater. The alluvial soil contains slit, gravel, clay, sand, and other organic matter. It has a unique layered look and the texture of it is loamy. This type of soil is extremely fertile for crop cultivation. The soil has a love level of nitrogen but contains a good level of potash, alkalies, and phosphoric acid. Indo-Gangetic alluvial soil is the most fertile soil found in India. 

Laterite Soil

Laterite soil is found in the hot and tropical regions, it is a rich type of iron and aluminium soil. As it is rich in iron oxide, laterite soil is red, it is generally rocky type soil. The Laterite soil is soft as butter when it is wet and is hard as brick after drying. 

Black Soil

As the name suggests it is black in colour soil, primarily formed from humus and swampland. This soil is high in clayey content. In India it is known as black cotton soil and is famous for the cultivation of cotton, it is found in most of the Deccan plateau region. 

Red And Yellow Soil

This type of soil is found in the warm, moist, temperate climate. The layer of soil is formed from weathering of ancient crystalline and metamorphic rock. The name is given after the colour of the soil. 

Conclusion

Soil is the thin layer found on the surface of earth crust made from weathering of rocks over a while. Soil is made up of many minerals, organic and inorganic materials, air, water, living organisms with the influence of climate, all these factors interacting over time. When the wind and water causes the displacement or washes away the top layer of soil it is called soil erosion. Soil erosion is a gradual process mostly done by the natural agent’s wind, water, and snow. Human interference can also cause the process of soil erosion like intensive agriculture, deforestation, building civilization, and more.