{"id":29368,"date":"2025-11-06T03:13:23","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T03:13:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/?page_id=29368"},"modified":"2025-11-06T22:16:26","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T22:16:26","slug":"soils","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/habitat\/soils\/","title":{"rendered":"7b4 Soils"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-29368\" data-postid=\"29368\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-29368 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n                    <div  data-css_id=\"266s325\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_266s325 tb_first tf_w\">\n            <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_ri8t325 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_q0w4325 image-center   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-4-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module fancy heading -->\n<div  class=\"module module-fancy-heading tb_c8po325  tb_hide_divider\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <h1 class=\"fancy-heading tf_textc\">\n    <span class=\"main-head tf_block\">\n                    Soils            <\/span>\n\n    \n    <span class=\"sub-head tf_block tf_rel\">\n                    Composition &amp; Significance            <\/span>\n    <\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module fancy heading -->\n<!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_w1ky325 image-center   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/naturejournals.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/gTe5G8KLc-1024x1024.png\" width=\"50\" height=\"1024\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"a36q325\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_a36q325 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_0npt325 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_uelb325 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/biotas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ea4.jpg\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_8kql325 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_p5op325    wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3><strong>Soils Objectives<\/strong><\/h3>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_295b325    wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <ul>\n<li><strong>List the three basic components of topsoil.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Describe the composition and characteristics of different soil types.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Provide examples of organisms commonly found in soil food webs.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-parallax-bg=\"desktop\" data-anchor=\"reservation\" data-css_id=\"bo87325\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_has_section tb_section-reservation tb_bo87325 tf_w\">\n            <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_sb8u325 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_72sa325   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><strong>Earlier in the course we explored <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/food-webs\/decomposers\/#\">compost<\/a>, including the role of detritivores &amp; decomposers in producing soil from the remains of organisms.\u00a0 In this section we focus on soil composition.<\/strong><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"ulgv325\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_ulgv325 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-3 tb_6myu325 first\">\n                    <!-- module video -->\n<div  class=\"module module-video tb_tv0t325 video-top  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n                    <div class=\"video-wrap-outer\">\n            <div class=\"video-wrap tf_rel tf_overflow\">\n                                    <noscript><iframe data-no-script src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/368830432?h=&#038;pip=1&#038;playsinline=1&#038;portrait=0&#038;title=0&#038;byline=0\" allow=\"fullscreen\" class=\"tf_abs tf_w tf_h\"><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n                                <\/div>\n            <!-- \/video-wrap -->\n        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/video-wrap-outer -->\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-1 tb_v279325 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_zwlf325   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h6>Soil is comprised of multiple layers.<\/h6>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"vuim325\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_vuim325 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_dirv325 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_umb6325 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/naturejournals.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/soilprofileb-1024x682.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"350\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_co5c325 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_esg8325   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p style=\"text-align: left;\">Topsoil, like it sounds, is on top of other deeper layers.\u00a0 Topsoil has the most interactions with wind, water, and organisms.\u00a0 This is what we see and and frequently interact with in the garden.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"3zzi325\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_3zzi325 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_3coy325 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_eb7g325   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h6 style=\"text-align: center;\">This video introduces topsoil.<\/h6>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module video -->\n<div  class=\"module module-video tb_6pcp325 video-top  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n                    <div class=\"video-wrap-outer\">\n            <div class=\"video-wrap tf_rel tf_overflow\">\n                                    <noscript><iframe data-no-script src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/365144500?h=&#038;pip=1&#038;playsinline=1&#038;portrait=0&#038;title=0&#038;byline=0\" allow=\"fullscreen\" class=\"tf_abs tf_w tf_h\"><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n                                <\/div>\n            <!-- \/video-wrap -->\n        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/video-wrap-outer -->\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-desktop-padding=\"3px,3px\" data-css_id=\"3h10325\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_3h10325 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_nzgy325 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_via5325   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h5>Topsoil is comprised of three components: minerals, organic matter (the remains of organisms), and living soil organisms.<\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"xmoy325\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_xmoy325 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_3a4f325 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_vxwr325 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/biotas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/E8a4-topsoil-a.jpg\" height=\"350\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_40x8325 last\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_ljyf325 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/biotas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/E8a4-topsoil.jpg\" height=\"350\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"ak2a325\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_ak2a325 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_btia325 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_24he325   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p style=\"text-align: center;\">You may have heard of &#8220;clay&#8221; and &#8220;sandy&#8221; soil or experienced them first-hand.\u00a0 There are many names for soils, this video introduced some of the more common types.\u00a0 Consider what you could do to improve each of the soil types for gardening.\u00a0 What would you add to improve plant growth.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module video -->\n<div  class=\"module module-video tb_tw1w325 video-top  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n                    <div class=\"video-wrap-outer\">\n            <div class=\"video-wrap tf_rel tf_overflow\">\n                                    <noscript><iframe data-no-script src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/476980758?h=&#038;pip=1&#038;playsinline=1&#038;portrait=0&#038;title=0&#038;byline=0\" allow=\"fullscreen\" class=\"tf_abs tf_w tf_h\"><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n                                <\/div>\n            <!-- \/video-wrap -->\n        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/video-wrap-outer -->\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"ib29325\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_ib29325 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-1 tb_1x56325 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_5efy325   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p style=\"text-align: right;\">You may have a local soil that is unique because it has a higher concentration of a specific mineral.\u00a0 In the Willamette Valley, we have a soil that tells a history of the valley&#8217;s formation.<\/p>\n<h6>\u00a0<\/h6>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-3 tb_nqum325 last\">\n                    <!-- module video -->\n<div  class=\"module module-video tb_fd54325 video-top  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n                    <div class=\"video-wrap-outer\">\n            <div class=\"video-wrap tf_rel tf_overflow\">\n                                    <noscript><iframe data-no-script src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/454259805?h=&#038;pip=1&#038;playsinline=1&#038;portrait=0&#038;title=0&#038;byline=0\" allow=\"fullscreen\" class=\"tf_abs tf_w tf_h\"><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n                                <\/div>\n            <!-- \/video-wrap -->\n        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/video-wrap-outer -->\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_bgpp325 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_9pvf325 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_s8g7325   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Soil Organisms<\/h3>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"4nz3325\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_4nz3325 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-3 tb_oq5q325 first\">\n                    <!-- module video -->\n<div  class=\"module module-video tb_u94y325 video-top  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n                    <div class=\"video-wrap-outer\">\n            <div class=\"video-wrap tf_rel tf_overflow\">\n                                    <noscript><iframe data-no-script src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/476960189?h=&#038;pip=1&#038;playsinline=1&#038;portrait=0&#038;title=0&#038;byline=0\" allow=\"fullscreen\" class=\"tf_abs tf_w tf_h\"><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n                                <\/div>\n            <!-- \/video-wrap -->\n        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/video-wrap-outer -->\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-1 tb_d7xw325 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_cits325   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p style=\"text-align: left;\">Organisms are part of topsoil, and are their decomposing remains.\u00a0 One of the easiest was to improve or &#8220;amend&#8221; soil for gardening or larger agricultural use is to add compost.<\/p>\n<h6>\u00a0<\/h6>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-desktop-padding=\"3px,3px\" data-css_id=\"puzu325\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_puzu325 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_c9jq325 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_3hla325 image-top   auto_fullwidth tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/vividscience.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/soil-food-web-ss-modified-860x1024.jpg\" width=\"860\" height=\"400\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_4eaw325 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_0g3s325   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h5 style=\"text-align: left;\">Soil organisms are critical in breaking the remains of other organisms into nutrients that can return to producers and reenter the food web.<\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"lxia325\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_lxia325 tf_w\">\n            <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_bcup325 first\">\n                            <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top gutter-narrow tb_col_count_3 tb_2spz325\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col3-1 tb_jki9325 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_0j96325 image-center   tf_mw wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInLeft\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/naturejournals.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/scavengers-1024x557.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"200\" alt=\"From the earlier compost &amp; decomposers section, what do we call the organisms that directly eat corpses, scat, or leaves, breaking them down into detritus?\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                        <div class=\"image-caption tb_text_wrap\">\n            From the earlier compost &#038; decomposers section, what do we call the organisms that directly eat corpses, scat, or leaves, breaking them down into detritus?        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/image-caption -->\n            <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col3-1 tb_sq00325\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_p5q9325 image-center   tf_mw wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/naturejournals.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/detritivores-1024x680.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"200\" alt=\"What do we call the organisms that consume detritus, breaking it down into organic matter?\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                        <div class=\"image-caption tb_text_wrap\">\n            What do we call the organisms that consume detritus, breaking it down into organic matter?        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/image-caption -->\n            <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col3-1 tb_i9lc325 last\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_628c325 image-center   tf_mw wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInRight\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/naturejournals.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/decomposers-1-1024x612.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"200\" alt=\"Fungi and some bacterial species are _____ that can break the organic matter down into nutrient form, that can be reutilized by producers.\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                        <div class=\"image-caption tb_text_wrap\">\n            Fungi and some bacterial species are _____ that can break the organic matter down into nutrient form, that can be reutilized by producers.        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/image-caption -->\n            <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"s4vg325\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_s4vg325 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-3 tb_rw4m325 first\">\n                    <!-- module video -->\n<div  class=\"module module-video tb_mzq9325 video-top  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n                    <div class=\"video-wrap-outer\">\n            <div class=\"video-wrap tf_rel tf_overflow\">\n                                    <noscript><iframe data-no-script src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/310864813?h=&#038;pip=1&#038;playsinline=1&#038;portrait=0&#038;title=0&#038;byline=0\" allow=\"fullscreen\" class=\"tf_abs tf_w tf_h\"><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n                                <\/div>\n            <!-- \/video-wrap -->\n        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/video-wrap-outer -->\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-1 tb_eyn4325 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_om5e325   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p style=\"text-align: left;\">When many people thing of soil organisms, earthworms pop into the mind.\u00a0 Earthworm species are detritivores that move through soil, increasing aeration (oxygen availability) and soil fertility (available nutrients).\u00a0 Earthworms are also an important food for many species.<\/p>\n<h6>\u00a0<\/h6>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"9au7325\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_9au7325 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-1 tb_m4ao325 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_i1oz325   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p style=\"text-align: right;\">Earthworms are more structurally complex than many people realize.\u00a0 The castings (scat) produced by their digestive tract are a form of fertilizer.<\/p>\n<h6>\u00a0<\/h6>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-3 tb_z9jc325 last\">\n                    <!-- module video -->\n<div  class=\"module module-video tb_wuo6325 video-top  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n                    <div class=\"video-wrap-outer\">\n            <div class=\"video-wrap tf_rel tf_overflow\">\n                                    <noscript><iframe data-no-script src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/476978431?h=&#038;pip=1&#038;playsinline=1&#038;portrait=0&#038;title=0&#038;byline=0\" allow=\"fullscreen\" class=\"tf_abs tf_w tf_h\"><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n                                <\/div>\n            <!-- \/video-wrap -->\n        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/video-wrap-outer -->\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"ufbi325\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_ufbi325 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-3 tb_65d9325 first\">\n                    <!-- module video -->\n<div  class=\"module module-video tb_mmv9325 video-top  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n                    <div class=\"video-wrap-outer\">\n            <div class=\"video-wrap tf_rel tf_overflow\">\n                                    <noscript><iframe data-no-script src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/432937251?h=&#038;pip=1&#038;playsinline=1&#038;portrait=0&#038;title=0&#038;byline=0\" allow=\"fullscreen\" class=\"tf_abs tf_w tf_h\"><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n                                <\/div>\n            <!-- \/video-wrap -->\n        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/video-wrap-outer -->\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-1 tb_6et7325 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_fr2f325   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p style=\"text-align: left;\">Millipedes are arthropod detritivores, and although some species are small, some are quite large.\u00a0 They are increasingly popular as pets.\u00a0 A note is that some release a caustic and toxic substance when startled, so always wash your hands after handling.<\/p>\n<h6>\u00a0<\/h6>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"gzfi325\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_gzfi325 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_8e8n325 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_6z74325   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p style=\"text-align: center;\">Just in time for this module, our soil decomposers are popping up reproductive structures all over.These are most likely <em>Amanita muscaria<\/em>, they are pretty common here and often grow at the base of trees.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module video -->\n<div  class=\"module module-video tb_tc6f325 video-top  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n                    <div class=\"video-wrap-outer\">\n            <div class=\"video-wrap tf_rel tf_overflow\">\n                                    <noscript><iframe data-no-script src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/476979286?h=&#038;pip=1&#038;playsinline=1&#038;portrait=0&#038;title=0&#038;byline=0\" allow=\"fullscreen\" class=\"tf_abs tf_w tf_h\"><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n                                <\/div>\n            <!-- \/video-wrap -->\n        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/video-wrap-outer -->\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-desktop-padding=\"3px,3px\" data-css_id=\"hjac325\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_hjac325 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_sqt8325 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_nwsp325   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h6>This is the end of the <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/habitat\/#\">Habitat Guide<\/a>.\u00a0 Material from this guide and the <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/long-term\/#\">Long-Term Guide<\/a> will be assessed on the weekly quiz.<\/h6>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"a9xb325\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_a9xb325 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_r0za325 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_5hdz325 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/biotas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ea4.jpg\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_vw3c325 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_mkfv325    wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h5><strong>Check your knowledge.\u00a0 Can you:<\/strong><\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_1y02325    wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <ul>\n<li><strong>list the three basic components of topsoil?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>describe the composition and characteristics of different soil types?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>provide examples of organisms commonly found in soil food webs?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"n3uy325\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_n3uy325 tf_w\">\n            <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle gutter-none tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_un4z325 first\">\n        <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_anm3325 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/habitat\/land-use\/#\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-3-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_9xpg325   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h5>Go back to the Land Use Page<\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_kob6325 last\">\n        <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_i9wl325 image-top drop-shadow  tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/biotas.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/habitat\/#\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Guide-Icon.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_s85u325   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h5>Go back to the Habitat Guide Overview<\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_fgai325 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_iz9l325 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_6myr325   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Habitat Guide Contents<\/h3>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module divider -->\n<div  class=\"module tf_mw module-divider tb_lify325 solid  divider-custom divider-center\" style=\"border-width: 3px;border-color: #5158b8;margin-top: 10px;margin-bottom: 20px;max-width: 120px;\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <\/div>\n<!-- \/module divider -->\n<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_s7gn325   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h6>This guide&#8217;s material will be assessed on the weekly quiz.<\/h6>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_4 tb_af99325\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-1 tb_cuy5325 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_lalj325 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/habitat\/human-population\/#\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-1-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" title=\"Human Population\" alt=\"Human Population\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                    <h3 class=\"image-title\">\n                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/habitat\/human-population\/#\">\n                        Human Population                    <\/a>\n                            <\/h3>\n                    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-1 tb_rzu7325\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_jmub325 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/habitat\/human-ecology\/#\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-2-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" title=\"Human Ecology\" alt=\"Human Ecology\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                    <h3 class=\"image-title\">\n                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/habitat\/human-ecology\/#\">\n                        Human Ecology                    <\/a>\n                            <\/h3>\n                    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-1 tb_9qxh325\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_eq1v325 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/habitat\/land-use\/#\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-3-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" title=\"Land Use\" alt=\"Land Use\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                    <h3 class=\"image-title\">\n                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/habitat\/land-use\/#\">\n                        Land Use                    <\/a>\n                            <\/h3>\n                    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-1 tb_0xbw325 last\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_4ql5325 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-4-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" title=\"Soils - YOU ARE HERE\" alt=\"Soils - YOU ARE HERE\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                    <h3 class=\"image-title\">\n                                    Soils - YOU ARE HERE                            <\/h3>\n                    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"63ir735\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_63ir735 tf_w\">\n            <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top gutter-none tb_col_count_3 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_t6m4735 first\">\n        <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_gto5735 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/#\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Module-Icon.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_w63r735   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Back to Module 7<\/h3>\n<h5>Change<\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_r9as735\">\n        <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_78b3735 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/habitat\/#\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Guide-Icon.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_d98s735   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>This Guide<\/h3>\n<h5>Habitat<\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_e0s5735 last\">\n        <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_55bb735 image-top circle  tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/oregonstate.instructure.com\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/vividscience.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Screen-Shot-2018-10-14-at-10.32.37-PM-3.png\" width=\"100\" height=\"368\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_a6r1735   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Direct Link to Canvas<\/h3>\n<h5>Submit Products<\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Soils Objectives<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":29256,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-29368","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"builder_content":"<img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-4-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\">\n<h1>Soils<br\/>Composition & Significance<\/h1>\n<img src=\"http:\/\/naturejournals.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/gTe5G8KLc-1024x1024.png\" width=\"50\" height=\"1024\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\">\n<img src=\"http:\/\/biotas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ea4.jpg\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\">\n<h3><strong>Soils Objectives<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul> <li><strong>List the three basic components of topsoil.<\/strong><\/li> <li><strong>Describe the composition and characteristics of different soil types.<\/strong><\/li> <li><strong>Provide examples of organisms commonly found in soil food webs.<\/strong><\/li> <\/ul>\n<p><strong>Earlier in the course we explored <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/food-webs\/decomposers\/#\">compost<\/a>, including the role of detritivores &amp; decomposers in producing soil from the remains of organisms.\u00a0 In this section we focus on soil composition.<\/strong><\/p>\n[embed]https:\/\/vimeo.com\/368830432[\/embed]\n<h6>Soil is comprised of multiple layers.<\/h6>\n<img src=\"http:\/\/naturejournals.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/soilprofileb-1024x682.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"350\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Topsoil, like it sounds, is on top of other deeper layers.\u00a0 Topsoil has the most interactions with wind, water, and organisms.\u00a0 This is what we see and and frequently interact with in the garden.<\/p>\n<h6 style=\"text-align: center;\">This video introduces topsoil.<\/h6>\n[embed]https:\/\/vimeo.com\/365144500[\/embed]\n<h5>Topsoil is comprised of three components: minerals, organic matter (the remains of organisms), and living soil organisms.<\/h5>\n<img src=\"http:\/\/biotas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/E8a4-topsoil-a.jpg\" height=\"350\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\">\n<img src=\"http:\/\/biotas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/E8a4-topsoil.jpg\" height=\"350\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\">\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">You may have heard of \"clay\" and \"sandy\" soil or experienced them first-hand.\u00a0 There are many names for soils, this video introduced some of the more common types.\u00a0 Consider what you could do to improve each of the soil types for gardening.\u00a0 What would you add to improve plant growth.<\/p>\n[embed]https:\/\/vimeo.com\/476980758[\/embed]\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\">You may have a local soil that is unique because it has a higher concentration of a specific mineral.\u00a0 In the Willamette Valley, we have a soil that tells a history of the valley's formation.<\/p> <h6>\u00a0<\/h6>\n[embed]https:\/\/vimeo.com\/454259805[\/embed]\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Soil Organisms<\/h3>\n[embed]https:\/\/vimeo.com\/476960189[\/embed]\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Organisms are part of topsoil, and are their decomposing remains.\u00a0 One of the easiest was to improve or \"amend\" soil for gardening or larger agricultural use is to add compost.<\/p> <h6>\u00a0<\/h6>\n<img src=\"http:\/\/vividscience.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/soil-food-web-ss-modified-860x1024.jpg\" width=\"860\" height=\"400\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\">\n<h5 style=\"text-align: left;\">Soil organisms are critical in breaking the remains of other organisms into nutrients that can return to producers and reenter the food web.<\/h5>\n<img src=\"http:\/\/naturejournals.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/scavengers-1024x557.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"200\" alt=\"From the earlier compost &amp; decomposers section, what do we call the organisms that directly eat corpses, scat, or leaves, breaking them down into detritus?\"> From the earlier compost &amp; decomposers section, what do we call the organisms that directly eat corpses, scat, or leaves, breaking them down into detritus?\n<img src=\"http:\/\/naturejournals.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/detritivores-1024x680.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"200\" alt=\"What do we call the organisms that consume detritus, breaking it down into organic matter?\"> What do we call the organisms that consume detritus, breaking it down into organic matter?\n<img src=\"http:\/\/naturejournals.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/decomposers-1-1024x612.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"200\" alt=\"Fungi and some bacterial species are _____ that can break the organic matter down into nutrient form, that can be reutilized by producers.\"> Fungi and some bacterial species are _____ that can break the organic matter down into nutrient form, that can be reutilized by producers.\n[embed]https:\/\/vimeo.com\/310864813[\/embed]\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">When many people thing of soil organisms, earthworms pop into the mind.\u00a0 Earthworm species are detritivores that move through soil, increasing aeration (oxygen availability) and soil fertility (available nutrients).\u00a0 Earthworms are also an important food for many species.<\/p> <h6>\u00a0<\/h6>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\">Earthworms are more structurally complex than many people realize.\u00a0 The castings (scat) produced by their digestive tract are a form of fertilizer.<\/p> <h6>\u00a0<\/h6>\n[embed]https:\/\/vimeo.com\/476978431[\/embed]\n[embed]https:\/\/vimeo.com\/432937251[\/embed]\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Millipedes are arthropod detritivores, and although some species are small, some are quite large.\u00a0 They are increasingly popular as pets.\u00a0 A note is that some release a caustic and toxic substance when startled, so always wash your hands after handling.<\/p> <h6>\u00a0<\/h6>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Just in time for this module, our soil decomposers are popping up reproductive structures all over.These are most likely <em>Amanita muscaria<\/em>, they are pretty common here and often grow at the base of trees.<\/p>\n[embed]https:\/\/vimeo.com\/476979286[\/embed]\n<h6>This is the end of the <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/habitat\/#\">Habitat Guide<\/a>.\u00a0 Material from this guide and the <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/long-term\/#\">Long-Term Guide<\/a> will be assessed on the weekly quiz.<\/h6>\n<img src=\"http:\/\/biotas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ea4.jpg\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\">\n<h5><strong>Check your knowledge.\u00a0 Can you:<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul> <li><strong>list the three basic components of topsoil?<\/strong><\/li> <li><strong>describe the composition and characteristics of different soil types?<\/strong><\/li> <li><strong>provide examples of organisms commonly found in soil food webs?<\/strong><\/li> <\/ul>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/habitat\/land-use\/#\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-3-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\"> <\/a>\n<h5>Go back to the Land Use Page<\/h5>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/biotas.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/habitat\/#\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Guide-Icon.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\"> <\/a>\n<h5>Go back to the Habitat Guide Overview<\/h5>\n<h3>Habitat Guide Contents<\/h3>\n\n<h6>This guide's material will be assessed on the weekly quiz.<\/h6>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/habitat\/human-population\/#\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-1-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" title=\"Human Population\" alt=\"Human Population\"> <\/a> <h3> <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/habitat\/human-population\/#\"> Human Population <\/a> <\/h3>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/habitat\/human-ecology\/#\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-2-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" title=\"Human Ecology\" alt=\"Human Ecology\"> <\/a> <h3> <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/habitat\/human-ecology\/#\"> Human Ecology <\/a> <\/h3>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/habitat\/land-use\/#\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-3-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" title=\"Land Use\" alt=\"Land Use\"> <\/a> <h3> <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/habitat\/land-use\/#\"> Land Use <\/a> <\/h3>\n<img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-4-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" title=\"Soils - YOU ARE HERE\" alt=\"Soils - YOU ARE HERE\"> <h3> Soils - YOU ARE HERE <\/h3>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/#\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Module-Icon.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\"> <\/a>\n<h3>Back to Module 7<\/h3> <h5>Change<\/h5>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/change\/habitat\/#\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Guide-Icon.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\"> <\/a>\n<h3>This Guide<\/h3> <h5>Habitat<\/h5>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/oregonstate.instructure.com\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/vividscience.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Screen-Shot-2018-10-14-at-10.32.37-PM-3.png\" width=\"100\" height=\"368\" title=\"7b4 Soils\" alt=\"7b4 Soils\"> <\/a>\n<h3>Direct Link to Canvas<\/h3> <h5>Submit Products<\/h5>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/29368","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29368"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/29368\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29565,"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/29368\/revisions\/29565"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/29256"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29368"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}