Soil is the repository of the biogeochemical cycles Healthy soils lay at the foundations of agricultural development healthy and nutritious food production and essential ecosystem services. Soil is the fundamental substance that along with water supports survival of our planet. Soil is also the fundamental resource that supports significant proportion of food production on the Earth. Due to anthropogenic climate change and other human activities our soils are being degraded. The FAO guidelines for soil description can help in correct description of soil.
Common characteristics of soil that are important indicator of its physical, chemical and biological properties and the ecosystem health include the following
- Soil Colour
- Soil Horizons
- Soil Structure
- Soil Texture
- Soil Consistency
- Soil pH
- Soil Porosity