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Visit to a Deciduous Forest : Studying Soil

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Using an auger © Shirley Burchill

Soil samples © Shirley Burchill

As you dig down into the ground the soil composition (the way the soil is made up) changes. There are four distinct layers of soil under the leaf litter.

Soil profile © Shirley Burchill

Your teacher will use a soil auger to take a sample of soil from the ground which includes the four layers shown under the leaf litter in the illustration above. While you are in the forest you will be asked to observe these layers and write a few words about the appearance of each of them.

Leaf litter © Shirley Burchill Humus © Shirley Burchill Humus with some minerals © Shirley Burchill Minerals with very little humus © Shirley Burchill
Leaf Litter
(Layer A)
Humus
(Layer B)
Humus with some minerals 
(Layer C)
Minerals with very little humus
(Layer D)

(For an example of your answer sheet link to the HTML file)

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