Ecological Functions of Soil
- Nutrient Cycling & Carbon Storage:
- Soil stores carbon and recycles nutrients essential for plant growth.
- Water Regulation:
- Soils absorb, filter, and purify water, reducing contaminants before reaching aquifers and rivers.
- Food & Biomass Production:
- Anchors plant roots, regulates air and water supply, and moderates root zone temperature.
- Biological Habitat & Gene Pool:
- Hosts diverse organisms, supports seed germination, and facilitates organic matter decomposition.
- Soil Mapping:
- Used for agriculture, environmental protection, and civil engineering by identifying soil properties and risks (e.g., erosion, nutrient deficiencies).