{"id":29407,"date":"2025-11-06T03:26:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T03:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/?page_id=29407"},"modified":"2025-11-07T02:09:00","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T02:09:00","slug":"soils","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/online-envirobio\/impacts\/habitat\/soils\/","title":{"rendered":"8a4 Soils"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-29407\" data-postid=\"29407\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-29407 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n                    <div  data-css_id=\"14gc407\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_14gc407 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_qzwa407 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_4o4x407 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=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 Soils\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module fancy heading -->\n<div  class=\"module module-fancy-heading tb_1cbu407  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_mzxz407 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=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 Soils\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"owj4407\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_owj4407 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_bme2407 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_s8g1407 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=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 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_poeh407 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_jq4i407    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_gew1407    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=\"9wu4407\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_has_section tb_section-reservation tb_9wu4407 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_luef407 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_j90d407   \" 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\/online-envirobio\/interactions\/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=\"555m407\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_555m407 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_bo7e407 first\">\n                    <!-- module video -->\n<div  class=\"module module-video tb_gxim407 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_mb5d407 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_g0e5407   \" 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=\"ptx4407\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_ptx4407 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_cent407 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_9v9v407 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=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 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_hxfq407 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_m2b2407   \" 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=\"m69q407\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_m69q407 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_l57t407 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_kwwp407   \" 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_euo0407 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=\"q5os407\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_q5os407 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_m4ln407 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_moe1407   \" 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=\"wj5l407\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_wj5l407 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_zsxe407 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_94lh407 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=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 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_623z407 last\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_fdxq407 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=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 Soils\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"bug5407\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_bug5407 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_jo8d407 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_6lzv407   \" 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_w5ls407 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=\"4fqq407\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_4fqq407 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_1m9x407 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_2lqc407   \" 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_5lek407 last\">\n                    <!-- module video -->\n<div  class=\"module module-video tb_74zw407 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_m0ub407 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_bezb407 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_9gqo407   \" 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=\"tvtk407\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_tvtk407 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_30kh407 first\">\n                    <!-- module video -->\n<div  class=\"module module-video tb_i1dc407 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_uks0407 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_sxgv407   \" 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=\"s4x6407\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_s4x6407 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_ael7407 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_21oy407 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=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 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_ktx1407 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_31x9407   \" 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=\"73qo407\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_73qo407 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_2znr407 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_9fes407\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col3-1 tb_gpj3407 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_0yfp407 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_2k0p407\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_9aj1407 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_rcie407 last\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_vkpb407 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=\"w8qk407\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_w8qk407 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_ba6d407 first\">\n                    <!-- module video -->\n<div  class=\"module module-video tb_6p51407 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_t7ww407 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_h2lz407   \" 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=\"1ygg407\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_1ygg407 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_ntva407 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_8m2p407   \" 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_to74407 last\">\n                    <!-- module video -->\n<div  class=\"module module-video tb_oq9b407 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=\"6cfo407\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_6cfo407 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_kv3p407 first\">\n                    <!-- module video -->\n<div  class=\"module module-video tb_myxz407 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_fk08407 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_j7yg407   \" 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=\"6tvk406\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_6tvk406 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_zwgt406 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_v9mp407   \" 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_ejre407 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=\"zyyp406\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_zyyp406 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_36p0406 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_18p2406   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h6>This is the end of Guide 8A.\u00a0 Please proceed to the products page.<\/h6>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"gys3406\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_gys3406 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_3ls9406 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_lnjb406 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=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 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_20yk406 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_8qrn406    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_jn92406    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=\"wqbl406\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_wqbl406 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_9mzv406 first\">\n        <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_17qv406 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/online-envirobio\/impacts\/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=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 Soils\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_pf72406   \" 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_ndow406 last\">\n        <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_0476406 image-top drop-shadow  tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/biotas.org\/index.php\/envirobio\/impacts\/habitat\/products\/#\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Product-Icon.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 Soils\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_1goy406   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h5>Go forward to the Products Page<\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_gxiy406 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_w73g406 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_cu2z406   \" 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_yxq3406 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_f730406   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h6>Complete all four of these sections before taking the quiz and making your media piece.<\/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_kjt1406\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-1 tb_0tuy406 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_ndqf406 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/online-envirobio\/impacts\/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\/online-envirobio\/impacts\/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_er5s406\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_zh15406 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/online-envirobio\/impacts\/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\/online-envirobio\/impacts\/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_t8bh406\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_v82k406 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/online-envirobio\/impacts\/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\/online-envirobio\/impacts\/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_hkuk406 last\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_etf5406 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=\"8seh838\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_8seh838 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_4 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-1 tb_cynw838 first\">\n        <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_07nj838 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/online-envirobio\/impacts\/#\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Module-Icon.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 Soils\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_bc8v838   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Back to Module 8<\/h3>\n<h5>Impacts<\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-1 tb_625k838\">\n        <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_1ume838 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/online-envirobio\/impacts\/habitat\/#\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Guide-Icon.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 Soils\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_1ra2838   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>This Guide<\/h3>\n<h5>8A: Habitat<\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-1 tb_l7f4838\">\n        <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_auot838 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/online-envirobio\/impacts\/habitat\/products\/#\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Product-Icon.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 Soils\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_rmgv838   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Products Information<\/h3>\n<h5>8A: Quiz &amp; Media<\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-1 tb_giko838 last\">\n        <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_imx2838 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=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 Soils\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_92i8838   \" 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":29381,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-29407","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=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 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=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 Soils\">\n<img src=\"http:\/\/biotas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ea4.jpg\" title=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 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\/online-envirobio\/interactions\/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=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 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=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 Soils\">\n<img src=\"http:\/\/biotas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/E8a4-topsoil.jpg\" height=\"350\" title=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 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=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 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 Guide 8A.\u00a0 Please proceed to the products page.<\/h6>\n<img src=\"http:\/\/biotas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ea4.jpg\" title=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 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\/online-envirobio\/impacts\/habitat\/land-use\/#\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-3-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 Soils\"> <\/a>\n<h5>Go back to the Land Use Page<\/h5>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/biotas.org\/index.php\/envirobio\/impacts\/habitat\/products\/#\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Product-Icon.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 Soils\"> <\/a>\n<h5>Go forward to the Products Page<\/h5>\n<h3>Habitat Guide Contents<\/h3>\n\n<h6>Complete all four of these sections before taking the quiz and making your media piece.<\/h6>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/online-envirobio\/impacts\/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\/online-envirobio\/impacts\/habitat\/human-population\/#\"> Human Population <\/a> <\/h3>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/online-envirobio\/impacts\/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\/online-envirobio\/impacts\/habitat\/human-ecology\/#\"> Human Ecology <\/a> <\/h3>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/online-envirobio\/impacts\/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\/online-envirobio\/impacts\/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\/online-envirobio\/impacts\/#\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Module-Icon.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 Soils\"> <\/a>\n<h3>Back to Module 8<\/h3> <h5>Impacts<\/h5>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/online-envirobio\/impacts\/habitat\/#\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Guide-Icon.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 Soils\"> <\/a>\n<h3>This Guide<\/h3> <h5>8A: Habitat<\/h5>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/online-envirobio\/impacts\/habitat\/products\/#\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Product-Icon.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 Soils\"> <\/a>\n<h3>Products Information<\/h3> <h5>8A: Quiz &amp; Media<\/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=\"8a4 Soils\" alt=\"8a4 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\/29407","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=29407"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/29407\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29692,"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/29407\/revisions\/29692"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/29381"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}