What is a soil type with a high organic matter content called?
Correct answer to the quiz question
Humus
Humus refers to a type of soil with a high proportion of organic matter.
Detailed answer to the quiz question
Humus is a type of soil with a high proportion of organic matter and plays a crucial role in the ecosystem. It is the result of the decomposition of plant and animal material by microorganisms. This process leads to the formation of complex organic compounds that not only improve the soil structure, but also provide a variety of nutrients essential for plant growth.
The humus content is an indicator of the fertility of a soil. A high humus content promotes the water storage capacity of the soil, which means that plants can be optimally supplied with water even during dry periods. In addition, humus ensures better aeration and rooting of the soil, which favors the root development of plants.
Humus also influences the chemical properties of the soil by acting as a buffer, absorbing nutrients and stabilizing the soil reaction. This is particularly important for the nutrient balance, as humus is able to bind nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and release them to the plants as required.
The humus content is not only important for agriculture, but also for the environment as a whole. Humus contributes to carbon storage in the soil, which helps to mitigate climate change by binding carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Soil rich in humus is not only fertile, but also plays an important role in ecological cycles. The preservation and promotion of humus is therefore a central goal of sustainable agriculture and soil protection strategies.
