Introduction and Contextualization

Introduction

Soil is an essential part of our planet, its study and understanding are fundamental for various human activities such as agriculture, construction, and environmental conservation. In geography, soil is the upper layer of the earth's crust, composed of mineral particles, organic matter, water, and air, inhabited by living organisms. It is the result of the interaction between climate, relief, organisms, parent material, and time, a process known as soil formation or pedogenesis.

Soil classification is based on its physical and chemical characteristics, as well as its horizons or layers. There are different types of soil, such as sand, clay, silt, gravel, and peat, each with its specific properties and uses. The study of soils allows us to understand how they influence plant growth, how they are affected by natural processes and human activities, and how they can be managed for sustainable uses.

Furthermore, soils play crucial roles in ecosystems, such as providing nutrients for plants, retaining water, decomposing organic matter, filtering pollutants, and serving as habitat for a wide variety of organisms. Soil health and quality are essential for biodiversity, food production, water quality, and the global climate.

Contextualization

Soils are a non-renewable resource and are suffering degradation due to unsustainable practices and climate change. Erosion, compaction, pollution, loss of organic matter, salinization, and sealing are some of the problems threatening soil health worldwide. The loss of productive soil can lead to a decrease in food production, loss of biodiversity, and alteration of the water cycle.

However, through proper management, it is possible to conserve and improve soil health. Sustainable soil management practices, such as crop rotation, adoption of conservation tillage systems, composting, and reforestation, can contribute to maintaining soil fertility, preventing erosion, and mitigating climate change.

Knowledge about soil and its management is essential for making informed decisions about its use and conservation. Furthermore, realizing the importance of soil in our daily lives is the first step to valuing and protecting it.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Mini Soil Laboratory

Project Objective:

Students, divided into groups of 3 to 5, will study, analyze, and classify different soil samples from their respective localities. Thus, students will explore in a playful and practical way the theoretical concepts about soils and their importance for the planet's balance. The activity will last approximately two to four hours for each participating student, with a delivery time of one week from the start date.

Detailed Project Description:

Each group should collect at least three different types of soil found in their locality. It can be from the backyard, a nearby park, a construction area, etc. With the collected soil samples, students will perform simple laboratory experiments to determine the physical and chemical characteristics of each sample, such as texture, color, presence of life (worms, insects, etc.), acidity, among others. As a result, the groups should build a comparative table and present their analyses and conclusions in a report.

Required Materials:

• Collected soil samples
• Sieve
• Transparent containers (e.g., glass jars)
• Water
• White paper sheets
• Ruler
• Vinegar
• Plastic spoon or spatula
• Gloves (optional)
• Camera or smartphone to record the experiment steps

Detailed Step-by-Step:

1. Sample Collection: Each group should collect at least three different soil samples, each of them should be collected from the surface layer of the soil (approximately 10 cm deep) and stored in different containers and identified.

2. Visual Analysis: Identify and describe the visible characteristics of the soil samples, such as color, presence of life, and texture. Each group can make a comparative chart of these characteristics.

3. Texture Analysis: Put a small amount of soil in a transparent container, add water halfway and shake until all the soil is mixed with the water. Let it rest for a few hours (or up to a day) and then observe the different layers of sediments that form, indicating the different types of particles in the soil (e.g., sand, silt, clay).

4. Acidity Test: Add a small amount of vinegar to a soil sample. If it bubbles, this indicates that the soil is alkaline.

5. Conclusion: The groups should analyze the results obtained, compare the samples, and discuss their observations and conclusions. Each group should prepare a report containing each step of the experiment, the results obtained, and their conclusions.

Project Deliverables:

• Final Report: Should be written and delivered at the end of the activity. The report should follow the structure:
  1. Introduction: Theoretical discussion on the soil theme (importance, characteristics, types, etc.), contextualizing its importance in the study of Geography and in real life. In addition, students should detail the project's objectives.
  2. Development: Students should explain the activity performed in detail, highlighting the methodology used and, finally, discussing the results obtained. Photos and attachments of practical activities are highly recommended.
  3. Conclusions: Students should summarize the main points of the activity, what they learned about the soil, and the final conclusions about the project.
  4. Bibliography: Indicate the sources they relied on to work on the project, such as books, web pages, etc.

Notes:

• Soil samples should be collected ethically and respecting local laws, avoiding damage to the environment.
• Students should wash their hands after handling the soil and use gloves if possible.