Soil as a Resource — Reading Comprehension

Soil is one of Earth’s most important natural resources. It is essential for growing food, supporting ecosystems, and filtering water. Every year, billions of tons of soil are lost globally through processes like erosion and degradation. Understanding how soil forms, functions, and faces threats is crucial for protecting this resource and ensuring food security for people around the world.

How Soil Forms and Functions

Soil forms over centuries to thousands of years through the breakdown of rocks and the accumulation of organic matter from dead plants and animals. Just a few inches of topsoil can take hundreds of years to develop. Healthy soil performs several critical functions. It provides nutrients for plant growth, stores and filters water, and supports a vast network of living organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and earthworms. Soil also stores carbon, helping to regulate the Earth’s climate by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. These processes illustrate the complexity of soil as a living system that interacts with water, air, and living things.

Threats to Soil: Erosion, Degradation, and Human Impact

Despite its importance, soil faces many threats. Erosion occurs when wind or water removes topsoil faster than it can be replaced. For example, heavy rainfall can wash away unprotected soil on farmland, while strong winds can blow away dry, bare soil. Degradation happens when soil loses its fertility, organic matter, or structure due to overuse, pollution, or poor management. Contamination from chemicals, compaction from heavy machinery, and salinization from excess salt are also serious problems. Urbanization, which covers soil with roads and buildings, reduces the land available for food production. As a result, billions of tons of soil are lost each year—much faster than new soil can form.

Protecting Soil: Conservation and Soil Health

Conservation practices are essential to maintaining soil health. Farmers use techniques like contour farming, planting cover crops, and reducing tillage to prevent erosion and build up organic matter. Soil health is measured by its ability to support plant growth, store water, and maintain biological activity. Healthy soil contains a balance of nutrients, living organisms, and organic material. Protecting soil is directly linked to food security; if soils are unhealthy or lost, growing enough food becomes much more difficult. By understanding the science of soil and practicing good conservation, people can help ensure a sustainable future for agriculture and the environment.

Interesting Fact: 
There are more living organisms in a handful of healthy soil than there are people on Earth!

What is one main function of soil mentioned in the passage?

How long does it usually take for a few inches of topsoil to form?

Which of the following is a threat to soil health described in the passage?

What does 'degradation' mean in the context of soil?

What is an example of a conservation practice that helps protect soil?

What does the word 'contamination' mean as used in the passage?

Why is soil health important for food security?

If a farmer uses heavy machines on a field over and over, what is likely to happen?

True or False: Urbanization increases the amount of land available for growing food.

True or False: Healthy soil can store carbon and help regulate Earth's climate.