The next day, turn off the light source and collect the organisms that have been forced into the jar below the funnel. Observe the specimens with your magnifying glass and under a light microscope. Identify as many different types of creatures as you can. When you are finished, return all organisms and the soil to a suitable environment. If you have a classroom testing kit, conduct the tests as instructed.
Plants are the primary source of organic matter.
They provide a protective covering which traps water and allows it to enter or infiltrate into the ground. The protective covering also lessens the erosion of the developing soil underneath. But perhaps most important, plants accelerate the process of chemical weathering through the release of carbon dioxide from respiring plant roots. A multitude of animals, insects, and microorganisms also contribute to the process of soil formation. The burrowing, eating, and mixing activities of invertebrates such as insects and earthworms, and small mammals allow organic matter on the surface to become incorporated into the soil.