The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
Additions of plant debris to soils will initiate the build up of organisms that will decompose the plant debris. After decomposition the organic material will be called organic matter or soil humus. This decomposed plant debris will be in the form of very small particles and will coat the sand, silt, and clay particles making up the mineral soil particles, thus making the soil black. The more organic matter accumulating in a soil, the darker the soil will become. Continued additions of organic matter are important to create a soft, tillable soil that is conducive to plant growth. Organic matter is important in soils because it will add nutrients, store nitrogen and other positive cations, and create a stronger soil aggregate that will withstand the impact of raindrops and thus prevent water erosion.