Canadian system of soil classification

Soil is the dirt that plants grow in. In Canada, we have different types of soil depending on where you are. Scientists have come up with a way to classify soil so we can understand and talk about it better.

First, they look at the texture of the soil, which means how the particles in the dirt are stuck together. They can be really small like clay, medium-sized like silt, or bigger like sand. Then, they look at the composition of the soil, which means what it's made of. It can be made of things like rocks, minerals, and organic matter (like leaves and dead plants).

The scientists also look at the acidity of the soil, which is how sour or sweet it is. This is measured on a scale called pH, which ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, like water. Anything below 7 is acidic and anything above 7 is alkaline (or basic).

Finally, they also look at how thick the soil layer is and what kinds of plants can grow in it. This helps them understand how the soil affects the environment around it.

All of these things put together help scientists classify soil into different types. Canada has 10 different soil orders (which are kind of like a big family of soils), with lots of different subgroups and characteristics. Each soil has its own special traits that make it unique, just like people have different personalities and abilities that make them special.