Initial Publication Date: January 13, 2021

Elaborate: No Soil, No Life?

Part A. Tea 4 Science

Begin this segment of the module with the Tea 4 Science activity. This activity involves composting a tea bag, and takes several weeks to complete. Students can return to observe their teabag return to it later in the unit when completing Chapter 3. Ask students to hypothesize what might happen to the teabag. Tea 4 Science . Alternately, teachers can bury the tea bags 65-90 days before the lesson begins and have students dig it up.

Part B. Soil Type and Ecoregions

  1. Biomes and Soil
    Use this section as an introduction to the connection between soils and ecosystems. Note: this will be covered in more detail in modules 5 and 7. 
    Soils Support our Biomes 
    Key Points: How does soil affect what can grow in a given area?
    Soil characteristics determine what functions soil can provide and what types of life can be supported.
  2. Discover Biomes slide show 
    Break students into nine subgroups, one for each type of soil shown on the linked webpage. Student groups access the web page Soils around the World and select one of the soil types (e.g. prairie, desert, tundra), by clicking on the name and icon. Students read about the special qualities of this soil type, its formation, and location. Ask students to investigate the following questions in their research:
    • What are two unique qualities of this soil?
    • How did climate influence its formation?
    • What types of organisms live in this soil region?
    • What are several special issues related to this soil type?
    • Describe the geographic region where you might find this type of soil.
  3. Once students have a general idea about soil types and regions where they can be found, use the Dig it resource or the state soils booklets to locate one or more states that they believe to be an example of their soil type. (for example, Arizona has desert soil) State Soils interactive (Note: these resources use Flash) 
    Alternately, educators may choose to handout printed U.S. or World maps to help students link the regions described in the text to maps.

Optional Activity Extensions:

Biomes coloring
Color in the biomes coloring (described here) 
Note: this a very basic activity – probably too young for high school students but provides good background for the link between soils and biomes. 

Wikiwatersheds
At the Wikiwatersheds site have students explore:

  • What happens if you change the landcover? (erosion)
  • What does landcover tell you about soil?
  • Explore the Model My Watershed


More about Soil Properties 
Students may want to know more detail about a particular location's soil. Using the online tool, websoil survey, students can type in a location and see a map showing soil classifications for that region. (Note: this site is very detailed, and will take time to learn) Web Soil Survey