The soil is a natural body embracing not only the topsoil, but also the subsoil and other layers above its parent rock. The dynamic or active soil, as defined in this way, correlates well with the kinds and distribution of soil organisms, with plant growth, with land capability, and with land use.

The plants that are grown in soil can be used for food, clothing, recreation, aesthetics, building materials, medicines etc. Soil has vital nutrients for plants. Clay soil is used in making ceramics, or pottery. Soil is commonly used in antibiotics.

Humans use soil as a holding facility for solid waste, filter for wastewater, and foundation for our cities and towns. Finally, soil is the basis of our nation’s agroecosystems which provide us with feed, fiber, food and fuel.

Soil Horizons (layers): Soil is made up of distinct horizontal layers; these layers are called horizons. They range from rich, organic upper layers (humus and topsoil) to underlying rocky layers ( subsoil, regolith and bedrock).

The biggest challenge for soil science is to combine the important role of soils for climate change with its’ crucial role in food production for the growing world population.

The job of the organisms is to keep the soil healthy. carbon and mineral matter in the soil, and painting with soil. Soil is a living thing – it is very slowly moving, changing and growing all the time. Just like other living things, soil breathes and needs air and water to stay alive.

Soils Breathe From burrowers to bacteria, the organisms that live in soils respire. Most of them take in oxygen to do their work, and they give off carbon dioxide, just as humans do. Soils breathe because they shelter and support living organisms.

Animals and plants are common living elements. Rocks and soil are common nonliving elements. Soil is comprised of many living bacteria and organisms. For the purpose of this activity, it will be considered nonliving.

Sand, wood and glass are all non-living things. None of them shows any of the characteristics listed above. Non-living things can be divided into two groups. First, come those which were never part of a living thing, such as stone and gold.

The non-living things which were once a part of living things are butter, leather, wool, cooking oil, apple, and rubber.

The term living thing refers to things that are now or once were alive. A non-living thing is anything that was never alive. In order for something to be classified as living, it must grow and develop, use energy, reproduce, be made of cells, respond to its environment, and adapt.