Soil Functions

Soil is an extremely complex assemblage of mineral and organic entities, which performs several functions essential for life on Earth "as we know it". Soil is

• A medium for plant growth: anchors roots, provides nutrients and water;
• A hydrologic buffer: regulates water flow in the landscape;
• A chemical reactor: absorbs, releases, and transforms inorganic and biochemical compounds (e.g. nutrients, pesticides, minerals, heavy metals);
• A habitat for organisms: micro-organisms are responsible for most chemical transformations, while macro-organisms are responsible for most physical transformations.