2.2 (Soil Biology)

Question 1

Detritus

Answer 1

DEcaying plant/animal
material
* “Detritus Shields Soil!”: Protects soil from extreme weather
* Reduces water evaporation rate

Think: Decomposers
Fungi, bacteria, and worms live here!

Question 2

Drilosphere

Answer 2

Where earthworms/plant roots burrow (drilling tunnels!)
* Distributes nutrients
* Increases water infiltration
* Where water and nutrients are stored

Question 3

Pores

Answer 3

The “lungs” of the soil
* Regulates water, air,
and nutrient flow
* Increases biodiversity
* Water and nutrients are stored

Question 4

Rhizosphere/Rhizomes

Answer 4

Rhizosphere as a Garden Party!
Where Protein & Sugar-Feeding Bacteria live (the party hosts)
- Example of mutualism
- Bacteria receive food and shelter (like food given by hosts at a party)
- Bacteria Benefits Roots! (Bacteria receives usable nitrogen) (like how party hosts and guests benefit from interacting with each other)

The rhizosphere is located directly around the roots of plants.

Question 5

Soil Aggregates (Clumps)

Answer 5

• Maintain the durability of soil
• Many aggregates are the fecal pellets (waste material) of worms and other invertebrates
• Holds the soil together (like play doh!)