Learn more physics!
Q:
why do we need air spaces in the soil?
- Wanting
Tampines North Primary School, SIngapore
A:
There are a number of reasons that it's important to have spaces of air in the soil. Here's a few of them:
(1) Animals that live in the soil (like worms) and many types of
bacteria that are important for other plants and animals need air to
breathe.
(2) Plants need air to breathe too - really! One of the ways that
plants get air is by absorbing it through their roots. So if the plants
couldn't get any air, they would actually suffocate.
(3) Air spaces give plants (and animals) room to grow. If the soil
is packed so tightly that there are no air spaces, it is more difficult
for seeds to sprout and roots to grow.
These are just a few reasons. I'm sure if you think about it a bit, you'll be able to come up with lots more!
-Tamara
(published on 10/22/2007)
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