| Sandy soils are relatively "newly" formed compared to other soil types. It is easy for both air and water to move between the large grains of sand, so this soil type stores water very poorly and is susceptible to drought. The opposite problem occurs with clay soils. They are often waterlogged because the tiny clay particles are packed tightly together, making it hard for air and water to move through. Clay soils can be dense enough to make it difficult for plant roots to spread through them. |
| Through their roots, trees bring water up from deep down in the subsoil. A large tree can release over 100 gallons of water into the air each day. This water vapor becomes part of the area's microclimate, which would be much drier without the moisture input from trees. |
| Too much precipitation results in the "leaching" of the soil. This happens when the water washes away most of the minerals and other nutrients. Water can also contribute to the soil's acidity, because as it moves through the soil, it removes minerals and leaves hydrogen atoms behind. The more hydrogen in the soil, the more acidic it becomes. This, however, only becomes a problem in areas with frequent, heavy downpours, and in these cases, plants have adapted to grow in poor soils. Leaching of the soil in these areas is natural, and in most other cases water moving through the soil is very beneficial to forests. |
soil types -- page 4 of 4
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