soil types
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Soil is affected by climate and rainfall, geology and vegetation. The combination of sand, silt, gravel, and clay gives different soils different textures. Healthy, nutrient-rich soils which consist of a mixture of sand, silt, and clay are called "loam" soils. Different minerals give soils their colors.

mushroom
Fungi, most of which produce mushrooms at certain times of the year, live in the soil and help to decompose dead leaves. Photo by Maya Walters.
At the end of each growing season in a temperate forest, over 70% of the biomass produced that year falls to the ground. This includes leaves, needles, twigs, and other organic material. It is then decomposed by fungi, and the nutrients return to the soil where they are re-used by other plants and trees.
Fallen leaves, and indeed entire fallen trees, are the soil for future forests. This organic matter is crucial because it contains the nutrients that will eventually be re-incorporated into the soil. It is also important in a partially decomposed state. Rotting leaves and wood are able to store moisture like a sponge, and help the forest soil retain rainfall. Without the organic matter from trees and other forest plants, the soil would become nothing but rocks and sand.

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related topics
[erosion] [roots & leaves] [water]

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