Which soil sample, the field soil or the forest soil, held more ...

[ericka1]

Which soil sample, the field soil or the forest soil, held more water?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Do you think that you will have to add more water to the forest soil or to the
  field soil to saturate the soil? Why?

 
  What will be an ideal response?

[meow1234]

Answer to Question 1

Your students should compare their results in Table 4-2 of the lab manual.

Answer to Question 2

Remember that the water-holding capacity of the soil is related to the amount of
organic material in the soil. The predominant soil particle size is also a factor in
determining the amount of water a soil can hold. Sandy soils retain less water than
clay soils. The answer to the question depends upon the relative amount of organic
material in the soils from the two locations and the soil particle size. If both areas
have soils with the particle size proportions, the soil with the largest amount of
organic matter will hold the greatest amount of water. Your students need to
consider the amount of forest litter in the forest soil and the slope of the area from
which the soil samples were collected. Silt and clay particles tend to be deposited on
low-lying areas by runoff. The type of cultivation in the field will also have an effect
on the ability of the field soil to hold water, such as the application of large amounts
of organic mulch or crop residues.