ENS 233: SOIL HABITAT (35 HOURS)

Purpose of the course

To introduce students the study of soil as a natural resource on the surface of the Earth

Expected Learning Outcomes of the Course

By the end of the course the learner should:
1. To foster deep interest in the principles of soil habitats and conservation.
2. To develop a sound understanding of a specialist area, habitat conservation, focusing
on management issues.
3. To develop independent study skills and the ability to present logical, scientific and
cogent arguments on a range of issues concerning to soil habitats, conservation and
management
4. To provide students with a broad and substantive understanding of the relationship
between natural and human modified environments, such as contaminated soils.
Course Content
Introduction to Soil Science, soil forming processes; soil components; minerals and organic
matter; soil aggregates; chemical reactions on soil colloidal surfaces; soil aeration; drying and
wetting of soil; soil physical properties; emphasis on soil as a habitat; soil as a disturbed
environment; viruses and bacteria in the soil; soil contamination with heavy metals; remediation
of contaminated soils; application of molecular biology in development of microbes to degrade
hazardous pollutants in the soils.

Mode of Delivery
Lectures, group work, interactive discussions and guided presentations, laboratory practical
sessions and field visits.
Instructional Materials and or/Equipment
Audio-visual devices, computers/Internet services, white boards, smart boards, flip charts,
journals
Course Assessment
Assessment consists of Continuous Assessment Tests (30%) and end of Semester written
examination (70%). Learners will evaluate course delivery on a rating scale.
Core Reading Materials
1. Bardgett, RD (2007).The biology of soil: a community and ecosystem approach.
Oxford University Press (Oxford)
2. Dion, P (2010). Soil Biology and Agriculture in the Tropics. Springer Berlin
Heidelberg, (Berlin, Heidelberg)
3. Maria C. &Hernandez S (2013).Soil Processes and Current Trends in Quality
Assessment.InTech, Chapters published February 27, 2013 under CC BY 3.0
license. DOI: 10.5772/45835.
4. Roland NI(2012). Soil Fertility.InTech, DOI: 10.5772/5541
Recommended Reference Materials
1. Bationo, A (2007). Advances in integrated soil fertility management in sub -
Saharan Africa: challenges and opportunities. Springer (Netherlands)
2. Lozet, J (1991).Dictionary of soil science. 2nd Edition, A.A. Balkema (Rotterdam)
 3. Maria, C., Hernandez-Soriano (2014). Environmental Risk Assessment of Soil
Contamination., ISBN 978-953-51-1235-8, 918 pages, Publisher: InTech, Chapters
published March 26, 2014 under CC BY 3.0 license. DOI: 10.5772/57086.
4. Mitchell, JK (1993).Fundamentals of soil behavior. 2nd Edition, Wiley (New York)
5. Varma, A, and Oelmüller, R (2007).Advanced Techniques in Soil Microbiology.
Springer Berlin Heidelberg, (Berlin, Heidelberg)

INTRODUCTION TO SOIL SCIENCE

Soil science is the study of soil as a natural resource, focusing on its formation, composition,
properties, and its role in supporting ecosystems, agriculture, and human activities. Soil serves as
a vital medium for plant growth, regulates water supply, and contributes to the Earth's nutrient
cycles. The field of soil science combines aspects of biology, chemistry, geology, and
environmental science to understand how soils function and how they can be managed for
sustainable use.
Soil Forming Processes
Soil formation, also known as pedogenesis, is a complex process driven by a combination of
biological, physical, and chemical factors over time.

The development of soil is influenced by five key factors: parent material, climate, topography,
organisms, and time.
1. Parent Material: This refers to the underlying geological material (e.g., bedrock, organic
material) from which soil is formed. The mineral composition of the parent material
influences the soil's texture, structure, and nutrient content.
2. Climate: Temperature and precipitation play a crucial role in soil formation. Warm, wet
climates tend to accelerate chemical weathering and organic matter decomposition,
leading to quicker soil development. In contrast, colder or drier climates slow these
processes.
3. Topography: The landscape's slope and elevation affect drainage, erosion, and the
distribution of organic material. For example, soils on steep slopes are more likely to be
eroded, while flat areas accumulate more organic matter and develop thicker soils.
4. Organisms: Plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms contribute to soil formation by
decomposing organic material and mixing soil layers. Roots break up parent material,
while microorganisms break down organic matter, enriching the soil with nutrients.
5. Time: Soil formation is a slow process that can take thousands of years. Over time,
weathering of parent material, organic matter accumulation, and the actions of organisms
gradually transform raw material into mature soil profiles with distinct horizons.
Soil Horizons
Soils typically develop into layers, called horizons, which vary in composition, color, and
texture. The main horizons include:
 O Horizon: The organic-rich surface layer composed of decomposed leaves, plants, and
other organic materials.
 A Horizon (Topsoil): Rich in organic material and minerals, this layer is crucial for plant
growth.
 B Horizon (Subsoil): A zone of accumulation where minerals like clay, iron, and
aluminum build up from layers above.
 C Horizon: The least weathered layer, composed of partially disintegrated parent
material.
 R Horizon: The bedrock, which is the unweathered parent material that underlies the
soil.

Soil Types
Soils are classified into various types based on their physical and chemical properties. These
types include:
 Sandy Soil: Drains quickly due to large particle size but lacks the ability to hold nutrients
and water well.
 Clay Soil: Retains water and nutrients due to its small particle size but may become
compacted, restricting air and water flow.
 Loam: A balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay, considered ideal for agriculture due to its
excellent water retention and drainage capabilities.
Four main components of soil
The four components of soil include:
 Mineral matter – 45%
 Organic matter – 5%
 Air – 25%
 Water – 25%

1. Minerals
 The mineral portion of the soil is derived from the bedrock from which it was formed.
Some of the mineral particles, such as sand, still consist of rock.

 They are chemically and structurally the same as the parent rock, but have been ground
by weather, water, glaciers, and other natural forces into small pieces.

 Other particles like most of the microscopic clay particles have been dissolved and
precipitated again, perhaps many times, to reach a form that is quite different from the
native rock.

 The sizes of individual particles of the mineral component are responsible for the texture
of the soil.

 Soil textures are classified as sand (the coarsest texture), silt, and clay (the finest texture,
with particles 1,000 times smaller than large sand particles). Loam is a mixture of sand,
silt, and clay.

2. Organic matter
 Living and dead plant and animal matter in various stages of growth and decay constitute
the organic part of the soil.

 Most native, or unamended, soils contain from less than 1% to 5% organic matter,
whereas a well-amended garden soil may contain 30% or more.

 Adding organic matter is one of the best things you can do to your soil. In addition to
being a reservoir of nutrients, organic matter improves the soil structure

 Live organic matter includes earthworms, insects, microorganisms, and plant roots.

 Earthworms and plant roots perform a valuable service by creating tunnels for air and
water to flow through the soil.

 An invisible world of soil bacteria, fungi, and algae is even more crucial. These
microorganisms decompose organic matter and contribute to the chemical reactions that
allow plants to absorb nutrients.
3. Water
 Soil water enables plants to absorb minerals by first dissolving them. Water is also
needed for the physiological and chemical processes of plant growth.

 Water is so strongly attracted to small spaces, or pores, in the soil that it moves from large
spaces to smaller ones, even if the movement is upward or sideways (How Water Moves
in Soil).

 That is why a soil with mostly small pores, such as clay, holds water so well. An ideal
soil has a mix of large and small spaces, so that it holds both water and air.

4. Air
 Soil with a loose surface and large pores permits air to diffuse easily into it. Entry is
limited if the soil is crusted over or compacted.

 Soil air is more humid than the air that humans breathe, and it has a higher carbon
dioxide content. The oxygen it contains is vital to the root growth of plants.

 In fact, roots grow only where oxygen is present in the soil.

 Roots and decaying organic matter give off carbon dioxide, which diffuses to the surface
and dissipates in the air as oxygen diffuses to the depths of the soil.