ENVS 2060 Study Guide - Final Guide: Water Cycle, Silt, Eluvium
14 Sep 2016
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Document Summary
The relatively thin layer of material at the surface of the earth that we call soil is an integral part of these flows. Solar energy is the driving force in an ecosystem because it provides the energy for plant growth through photosynthesis. Solar energy is collected by growing plants and that energy is stored as organic compounds that make up the plants. Energy trapped by plants through photosynthesis enters the human food chain either directly as plant products or indirectly as animal products. During the growth of plants, water is taken from the soil and use what they require and transpire water back to the atmosphere. Moisture storage in soil is central to the water cycle and plant growth. Majority of nutrients are taken from the slil. Soil also provides the habitat for decomposition of dead plant material which releases the nutrients back into the soil.
