soil effect on vegetation.
HOW SOIL AFFECT THE VEGETATION OF A PLACE OR ENVIRONMENT, Soil is defined as the uppermost layer of the earth\’s crust which provides support and nutrient for growth.
The soil is also a habitat for some animal species== soil effect on vegetation
Before we look at the effect of soil on types of vegetation, we have to know what constitutes soil.
So there are three major types of soil, they are
a. Sandy soil
b. Loamy soil
c. Clay soil
Each of these types of soil varies in their ability to retain water necessary for plant and vegetative growth.
The types of soil found in a place can be a mixture of one or more
of the various soil types.
So let us take a proper look at the types of soil and they affect the vegetation of an environment. Here
SANDY EFFECT SOIL ON VEGETATION
SANDY SOIL
A soil is to be sandy if the sand particles contained in the sample of soil is high. The particles sand are mainly quartz, and having a size of around 0.2mm to 2.0mm in diameter.
THE EFFECT OF SANDY SOL ON VEGETATION
Sandy soil is very low in plant nutrient due to the effect of leaching, which is the result of too much spaces between the pores of the particles, hence supports scanty vegetation or grassland.
In other words, sandy soil is not good for farming activities.
THE EFFECT OF CLAY SOIL ON VEGETATION
CLAY SOIL
A soil is said to be clayey if the proportion of clay in sample of soil is very high. The relative size of clay particle is less than 0.oo2mm in diameter.
Clay soil is very heavy hence it very difficult to work on or cultivate.
CLAY EFFECT ON PLANTS
Due to the fact that clay soil has the ability to retain water, it also has the capacity to retain little amount of plant nutrients.
So clay soil can only support a few variety of plants such as savanna or shrubs and some luxuriant vegetation
THE EFFECT OF LOAMY SOIL ON VEGETATION
Loamy soil is a mixture of sand and clay particles with high proportion of organic matter. Loamy soil is more fertile than either sandy or clay soil.
Anytime we describe a portion of soil as sandy loam is means the soil contains more sand particle than loam, but if it is described as lay loam it means the proportion of clay is very high.
EFFECTS OF LOAM ON VEGETATION
Loamy soil is by no doubt the best type of soil for farming activities as it contains large amount of plant nutrient hence it supports plant life effectively
WHAT ARE THE FACTORS AFFECTING WATER HOLDING CAPACITY OF THE SOIL?
Factors that may affect water retention capacity of soils are but not limited to the following
ORGANIC MATTER CONTENTS:
the organic matter contents of the soil affect the rate at which water is retained. Loamy soil which rich in organic materials has more water retention capacity than sandy soil.
SIZE OF SOIL PARTICLES:
sizes of soil particle also affects the soil ability to retain water. The smaller the particles, the higher the rate of water retention.
So the clay soil has a higher capacity of water retention because of its fine and small particles.
SOIL TEXTURE:
the soil texture, which is the degree of fineness or coarseness of the soil particles has a lot of influence on the water holding capacity of the soil.
Clay soil has fine particles, hence it can retain water that a coarse sandy soil
CLAY CONTENT OF THE SOIL AND HOW IT AFFECT VEGETATION
the amount of clay present in any type of soil goes a long way to determine its water retention capacity. The higher the amount of clay in a soil sample, the higher the retention capacity of that soil soil effect on vegetation
MINERAL SALTS AND PH AND HOW IT EFFECT VEGETATION
the amount of mineral salts in the soil determines the amount of water t he soil can retain.
High levels of mineral salts leads to high level of pH which supports high rate of water retention but when the pH is low, the mineral salts are disintegrated and subsequently lower the water retention capacity
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JUTE
49. FORAGE CROP AND PASTURE
50. FORAGE GRASSES
51. SILAGE
52. PASTURE
53. TYPES OF PASTURE
COMMON GRASSES AND LEGUMES
54. GRASSES
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