Description of the Characteristics of the Soil in the Ecosystem

Tundra

• Soils located in the tundra ecosystem are typically poorly-developed, since they are frozen for most of the year. Soil structure and fertility is poor because the little organic matter that is present does not breakdown well, due to reduced sunlight and low temperatures. Soil is typically a thin layer on the surface or a mass of frozen material that thaws on the surface for short periods. The thicker soil masses in the tundra have moved into arctic-type climates due to continental drift.

Taiga

• Soils in slightly warmer climates, further away from the Tundra, are more developed due to increased temperatures and interaction with living organisms. The increased plant and animal life produce more organic compounds when they decay in the soil, which leads to better soil structure and fertility. However, Taiga soils are characterized by periods where the surface is frozen deep into the soil. Few nutrients are available, and the soils is not very deep a characteristic of being young. Freezing the soil causes ice crystals to form which break down materials in the soil. The cycle of freezing and thawing develops the characteristics of layering, color and texture changes, as well as habitat for organisms such as large forests.

Temperate Deciduous Forest

• Temperate forests have deep, well-formed soils with distinct layering and well-developed soil structure. The soil has the characteristic of being fertile and rich with organic matter. A dark surface layer of the soil is composed mostly of decaying plant and animal matter that provides a rich area for organisms to thrive. The soils are well drained and usually have a layer of clay development.

Grassland

• The best soils in the world are found under grasslands. They have the best characteristics for growing crops, well-developed soil structure, high fertility and high water-holding capacity. They are excellent for building on because they are very deep and stable. They have distinct layering, which includes a well-developed area at the surface of accumulated organic matter, as well as a clay layer which retains moisture. Annual as well as perennial plants thrive in grassland ecosystems. Due to the abundance of plant life growing on the rich soil, large populations of animals can be sustained.