Soil quality

Optimum soil temp for baterial activity is 70 to 100 degrees farenheight, but some activity may occur as low as 40 degrees!

Earthworm populations consume 2 tons of drymatter per acre per year, partly digesting and mixing it with soil.

Identifying healthy soil by Ziggy morton

Soil quality

If soils are cycling organic matter, they will have that fregrant earthy smell. Soils can have other smells, but they are m=not associated with soil health. Soils with a lack of oxygen can smell like rotton eggs or sulfer. This is often a sign of poor drainage.

SOIL SMELL

Structure often determines the amount of pore space. More pore space allows for greater water filtration.

SOIL STRUCTURE

Eroding soil makes it impossible to build healthy soil. Erosion can be caused by wind or water.

SOIL EROSION

Earthworms are major decomposers of organic material, they create side burrows through the soil profile, increasing porosity and enabling water to move down and createchannels for roots. Dung beetles are another indicator of biological activiy.

PRESENCE OF BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY

Soil color can tell us the amount and state of organic matter an iron oxide, and other physical processes. The darkerthe soil, the higher the organic matter content.

SOIL COLOR

Bare soil can be a sign that none of the ecosystem processes are working correctly. As soils get healthier, more of the surface will be covered with green growing plants.

SOIL COVER