Glossary

Sealed surfaces are soils that are separated from the atmosphere by hard surface coverings with virtually impermeable materials (asphalt, concrete, etc.) or by the direct superstructure of buildings.

Soil crumbs consists of clay and humus particles, pores filled with water, and sand. They are held together by electrostatic forces.

Sod tiles are pieces of grass separated from the ground with a thin layer of soil in which the roots are located.

In soil science, “siltation” refers to the displacement of soil particles through the influence of rain. The consequences are the closure of soil pores, which reduces water drainage and the filter effect, levelling, erosion and crust formation after drying. This hinders plant growth.

The water and air-filled cavities in the soil are called “soil pores”. The pore space represents the entirety of all soil pores. Pore spaces and pore size distributions can be very different depending on the grain size distribution, the soil structure, the content of organic matter and the humus form.

With new plantings, the soil material is usually loosely stored around the roots and there is plenty of air in the soil material. In order to completely cover the fine roots with soil and to largely displace the air, the plant is watered sufficiently. This process is referred to as “slurrying in”.

The southern hemisphere is the part of the earth located south of the equator.

At the earth’s surface, the soil material is not present as a continuum, but in the form of soil particles. These particles are granular and consist of inorganic material. Soil particles are classified according to grain size into sand, silt and clay. The size of the soil particles determines the pore volume and thus the

Soil formation is very different depending on the location. As a result, soils do not have a uniform structure, but are divided into layers that are more or less parallel to the surface. These layers, which differ in their properties, are called “soil horizons”. In general, the rock layer is at the very bottom, the

To classify different soils, a distinction is made between soil types such as brown soil, podzol, gley, etc. The soil types are systematically classified with diagnostic features and properties. The characteristic horizons and horizon sequences play a major role for the classification.

Soil conditioners are soil-improving soil additives that can increase soil fertility and soil life. Due to their low nutrient content, soil additives are not considered fertilizers.

Synthetic fertilisers or mineral fertilisers are inorganic plant fertilisers that can be used in conventional agriculture. The most common ingredients are nitrogen and phosphate compounds.

The term “soil beings / creatures” (Edaphon) is used to refer to all the organisms living in the soil.

Succulents are plants with a high-water storage capacity. Because of this trait, the plants are well adapted to drier climates. One of the best-known succulents are cacti.

Soil erosion describes the removal or displacement of the soil due to external influences. The main causes of soil erosion are rain (due to runoff) and wind.

Soil degradation describes the destruction or permanent change of the natural characteristics of a soil. This can be caused, among other things, by anthropogenic influences or climate changes.