Soil Science Explained

How soil actually works, explained clearly and drawn properly. Written for anyone who needs to understand the ground rather than just work it, from Leaving Cert geography to a first allotment.

Soil Creep: Diagram, Causes and Evidence

Soil creep is the slowest form of mass movement: soil sliding downhill under gravity at roughly 1 to 3mm a year in a temperate climate like Ireland's. It is too slow to watch, so it is identified by what it leaves behind, including terracettes, curved tree trunks and leaning fence posts.
Includes a labelled diagram
Soil Profile and Horizons: Labelled Diagram

A soil profile is a vertical slice through soil from the surface down to bedrock. The distinct layers you can see in that slice are called horizons, and they always appear in the same order: O, A, E, B, C, then R.
Includes a labelled diagram
Types of Soil in Ireland: The 11 Great Soil Groups

Ireland's most common soil is the gley, a poorly drained mineral soil covering 24.5% of the land area. Teagasc classifies Irish soils into 11 Great Soil Groups, and the single factor that separates them more than any other is drainage.
Includes a labelled diagram