Soil

Since most all plants grow in the soil, they are constrained by its properties and nutrient content. It is often the soil, which makes ecosystems diverse, since many different plant types will be adapted to a specific soil type; often-varied soils give rise to varied plant life.

Purpose: To identify the quality and physical properties of the soils in a particular location, since it is the soil, which is able to govern plant growth.

Time Requirements: an hour for set-up and a few weeks for observations

Materials: 2-3 glass jars A small shovel Paper and pencil

Safety: Caution should be used when working around, glass and other materials, to avoid breakage.

Procedure:

1. First locate at least two distinct areas where you feel that the soil is different.
2. Observe the plant life, which is in these two areas, record observations such as plant height and quality. A key sign, of a poor soil si short unhealthy plants.
3. Next take one of your glass jars and fill it with soil, mark this jar with the location from where you took the sample. Reserve a small sample of each soil type, in a clean jar or plastic bag
4. Fill the jar with ¼ water and the rest soil. Shake the jar thoroughly to mix the soil and water.
5. Repeat this with each of your selected soil sample sites.
6. Place your jars in a safe location where they will not become disturbed
7. While you wait for your soil to settle, take your small soil samples to the local garden center, and ask them if they perform free soil tests.
8. As long as you explain that you are working on a science project and do not have an excessive quantity of samples, most garden centers will accommodate you. If you are unable to find a free test facility, you can purchase home test kits and do your own soil testing.
9. Depending on the test kit you may get a result for a variety of different nutrients such as nitrogen.
10. Use your observations and the information provided about the nutritional content of your soil to determine if the soil test reflects what is actually occurring.
11. After one week the soil should have settled, allowing you to observe its general composition.
12. Record whether the soil is composed more of sand or clay, its color and appearance, and other relevant information on its composition.

Results: After performing this experiment you should have a general idea of how two distinctly different locations, have distinct and different soil types, and how these soil types, regulate the growth of plants.

Further Research:

1. Soil samples can be taken at different times during the year, to determine whether nitrogen is depleted from the soil after the rainy season, or determine other factors regarding nutrient cycling.
2. Students can also talk to one another on 'A World of Diversity' forum and chat room, and discuss one anthers findings on soil nutrition and plant growth.