Welcome to Soil Safari!
Embark on an adventure to explore the hidden world beneath our feet! Soil is more than just dirt—it’s a dynamic ecosystem teeming with life, nutrients, and history. From tiny microbes to minerals, every layer tells a story. Join us as we dig into the science of soil, uncover its secrets, and discover how it forms!
Soil development is shaped by CLORPT — S = f (cl, o, r, p,t) — Climate, Organisms, Relief, Parent Material, and Time. Climate influences weathering, organisms contribute organic matter, relief affects drainage, parent material provides minerals, and time allows these processes to shape the soil we see today. These factors team together to form what is known as a “soil profile” (see image below).
We hope this soil safari helps you to better understand the wonderful world of soil and the benefits this resource provides to humans and ecosystems!
Nestled between Kindschi Hall of Science and the Recreation Center lies a TIMELESS compass. All good things take time to develop, and likewise, a lot can change in that same time. Did you know that time has actually shifted Earth’s poles? A long time ago, magnetic north wasn’t exactly where it is today! Just like how a compass helps us navigate, time navigates the story of soil, guiding its unique journey of formation and transformation. Every soil tells a narrative of how that land/ecosystem has naturally formed, responded to management, and so much more. So, while this compass points you forward, the soil beneath it will help to tell you the history of this land.