Describe the roles that humus, detritus, and soil organisms play in creating a soil favorable to plants. Identify the relationships among these three factors
What will be an ideal response?
Detritus is the food source for decomposers and detritus feeders. These organisms consume the detritus for energy and nutrients and release carbon dioxide, water, and minerals into the soil. The undigested portion of detritus excreted by the soil organisms is called humus. As minerals go through the guts of detritus feeders (e.g., worms), the minerals adhere to the humus. The clumps of humus create the structure of soil. The soil structure is the arrangement of soil particles. Humus improves a soil's ability to hold water and nutrients and increases its workability and aeration, while improving the ability of water to infiltrate the soil.
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