Refers to the arrangement of soil particles and the pore spaces between them. The mineral or inorganic part of soil consists of particles of different sizes. Between the soil particles are spaces, called pores. Their number and size strongly influence soil structure. Pores are important in allowing air and water to penetrate the soil.
Good soil needs many pores, varying in size with some holding air and some water.
Loss of pores changes soil structure for the worse as far as plant growth is concerned. Increased turbidity reduces the penetration of light through water, reducing the growth of aquatic plants. External sites are not endorsed by the Australian Academy of Science. The Australian Foundation for Science and the Science and Technology Awareness Program of the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science and Resources are also supporters of Nova . This topic is sponsored by the CRC for Soil and Land Management and the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science and Resources .