In nature, the soil functions as a filter, decomposing and recycling chemical and organic materials, as well as storing heat and water. It also provides habitat for plants and animals, including humans. Check out the links below to learn about the fascinating ways the soil interacts with everything in nature!!!

Air Return to the top	Soil Carbon Sequestration: Frequently Asked Questions URL: http://www.usda.gov/oce/gcpo/sequeste.htm Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture: Office of the Chief Economist: Global Change Program Office
Carbon Cycle Return to the top	What is the Carbon Cycle? URL: http://www.thinkquest.org/library/lib/site_sum_outside.html?tname=11226&url=11226/why.htm Source: ThinkQuest: What is the Carbon Cycle? The Carbon Cycle URL: http://geog.ouc.bc.ca/physgeog/contents/9r.html Source: Okanagan University College, Department of Geography: Introduction to Biogeography and Ecology
Decomposition Return to the top	Soil and Decomposition URL: http://www.rbnc.org/soiland.htm Source: River Bend Nature Center: Pre-Trip Activitites: Soil and Decomposition Soil Organic Matter Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling URL: http://geog.ouc.bc.ca/physgeog/contents/9q.html Source: Okanagan University College, Department of Geography: Introduction to Biogeography and Ecology
Energy Transfer Return to the top	URL: Source:
Habitat Return to the top	Home in Holes URL: http://www.ducks.org/puddler/teachersguide/spr00sf.html Source: Ducks Unlimited, Puddler Activity Guide, Spring 2000 Soil Organisms URL: http://www.smartgardening.com/Soil_Organisms.htm Source: Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Environmental Programs Division Soil Animals URL: http://www.agric.uwa.edu.au/soils/soilhealth/animals/ Source: University of Western Australia, Soil Science and Plant Nutrition Group, Soilhealth.com Soil Fungi URL: http://www.agric.uwa.edu.au/soils/soilhealth/fungi/index.htm Source: University of Western Australia, Soil Science and Plant Nutrition Group, Soilhealth.com Soil Bacteria URL: http://www.agric.uwa.edu.au/soils/soilhealth/bacteria/index.htm Source: University of Western Australia, Soil Science and Plant Nutrition Group, Soilhealth.com Soil Biology Movies URL: http://www.agron.iastate.edu/~loynachan/mov/ Source: Iowa State University Agronomy Department Worm Facts URL: http://www.smartgardening.com/Worm%20_Facts.htm Source: Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Environmental Programs Division
Heat Storage Return to the top	URL: Source:
History Return to the top	URL: Source:
Nitrogen Cycle Return to the top	Soil Organisms and The Nitrogen Cycle URL: http://www.soils.agri.umn.edu/academics/classes/soil2125/doc/slab9org.htm Source: University of Minnesota: Soil 2125: Soil Organisms and The Nitrogen Cycle
Pedosphere Return to the top	Pedosphere Hub image URL: http://ltpwww.gsfc.nasa.gov/globe/ped/pedhub.gif Source: GLOBE Soil Science Education: Pedosphere Hub image The Pedosphere as a Hub URL: http://ltpwww.gsfc.nasa.gov/globe/ped/pedosph.htm Source: GLOBE Soil Science Education: The Pedosphere as a Hub
Plant Growth Return to the top	URL: Source:
Water Recycling Return to the top	The Water Cycle URL: http://www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Library/Water/ Source: NASA: EarthObservatory: The Water Cycle Global Energy Transfer, Atmosphere and Ocean Circulation, Climate URL: http://www.uta.edu/geology/geol1425earth_system/1425chap4.htm Source: University of Texas at Arlington: Department of Geology: Geology 1425 Return to the top