Knowra Soil structure Soil structure Soil structure is the arrangement of mineral particles and organic matter into aggregates, with pores between and within them. It governs how air, water, roots, and organisms move through soil.
Soil aggregates : Groups of mineral particles and organic matter bound together within soil. They are the structural units whose size, shape, and stability form soil structure.
Soil health : The capacity of soil to function as a living system that sustains plants, animals, and people. Structure is one observable component of soil's capacity to support biological and agricultural functions.
Bulk density : The mass of dry soil per unit of its total volume, including pore space. It offers an indirect measure of compaction and pore loss, though it does not describe structure alone.
Single-grain structure : A soil arrangement in which sand or silt grains remain largely separate rather than forming aggregates. It contrasts with aggregated structure, especially in coarse-textured soils.
Soil porosity : The fraction of soil volume occupied by pores rather than solids. Pore volume and connectivity determine how water and air move through aggregates.
Water infiltration : The entry of water from the soil surface into the soil. Connected pores allow rainfall to enter rather than pond or run off.
Aggregate stability : The ability of soil aggregates to resist breakdown under stresses such as wetting and handling. Stable aggregates preserve structural units during rainfall and cultivation.
Massive soil structure : A soil condition with no distinct aggregates or visible structural units. It shows the other structural extreme: a continuous mass rather than separated aggregates.
Soil organic matter : The decomposed and partially decomposed residues of plants, animals, and microorganisms in soil. Organic compounds and residues help bind particles into stable aggregates.
Soil erosion : The detachment and transport of soil by water, wind, ice, or gravity. Weak aggregates and exposed surfaces make soil more vulnerable to particle detachment.
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