Different layers of soil

Different layers of soil

Soil is made up of five distinct layers.

The one on which we stand is called the O Horizon. This is the topmost layer with leaves and organic matter decompose and form Humus. This tells us how fertile the soil can be. Based on the soil type it may be thick, thin or completely absent.

Just below is the A horizon also called the top soil. This is where we plant our seeds so they can grow to be strong, healthy plants. This is because it is rich in minerals and humus. It is soft and porous so that plants can stretch their roots with ease.

This is also where worms make their homes and rodents make their homes. Below this we have the B horizon or the sub soil. It is hard and compact so only the roots of big and strong plants can reach very far down and all their hard work pays off as this layer is rich in mineral deposits and clay.

Now we come to the C horizon or the Regolith. This is the layer of weathered parent rock and has no plant or organic matter at all.

And finally we have the Bedrock. This is the hardest layer and consists of the unweathered parent rock which supports all layers.

Dirt is simply soil that has lost the ability to sustain life, its dense soil. There is another layer of soil between the A and B horizon called the Eluviation or the E horizon.