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Soil is defined as a three-phase system: solid matrix (minerals and organic matter), pore space with gases, and soil solution with water and dissolved substances.
Soil is a natural earth material—a complex mixture of minerals, organic matter, gases, and water (plus organisms)—that supports plant and soil life. It is commonly defined as a three-phase system: a solid soil matrix (minerals and organic matter), a porous phase that contains gases (soil atmosphere), and a liquid phase that contains water and dissolved substances (soil solution). Some definitions distinguish “dirt” from “soil” by reserving “soil” for material in place that can support biological activity. The scope of soil extends beyond its physical components to include how it forms and functions within the Earth system. Soil develops over time through interacting factors such as climate, relief/topography, organisms, and parent material, and it continually changes through physical, chemical, and biological processes including weathering and erosion. Because of its complexity and internal connectivity, soil is often treated as an ecosystem (the pedosphere) that interfaces with the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. Soil science is commonly divided into edaphology (soil’s influence on living things) and pedology (soil formation, description, morphology, and classification).
Soil is defined as a three-phase system: solid matrix (minerals and organic matter), pore space with gases, and soil solution with water and dissolved substances.
Soil forms and evolves through interacting factors (climate, relief, organisms, parent material, and time) and changes via physical, chemical, and biological processes.
Soil’s scope includes its ecological role and its classification/study: edaphology focuses on soil’s effects on life, while pedology focuses on soil formation and classification.
Soil is a mixture of minerals, organic matter, gases, water, and organisms that together support plant and soil life.
The solid portion of soil made up of minerals and organic matter that forms the main structural framework.
The void spaces within soil that hold gases (the soil atmosphere) and allow movement of air and water.
The liquid phase of soil water containing dissolved organic and inorganic substances, present in ionic or molecular form.
The collective body of Earth’s soil, forming an interface with the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.
The branch of soil science that studies how soils influence living organisms.
The branch of soil science focused on soil formation, morphology (description), and classification in natural environments.
The interrelated factors governing soil development: climate (C), organisms (O), relief/topography (R), parent material (P), and time (T).
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