Soils of Great Salt Lake Wetlands: Hydric Indicators and Common Features

Soil is much more than just dirt. Often called the “living skin of the planet Earth,” soil is a mixture of organic and mineral material, air, and water that is critical for the support of life [1]. Soil provides structure for plant roots, retains water to ensure plants have access long after it rains, and holds nutrients so they are available to organisms over time [1]. Soil is not material devoid of life, but a living ecosystem, home to billions of microorganisms and myriad small animals like worms, crayfish, and snails which combine with the forces of climate and Soils of Great Salt Lake Wetlands: Hydric Indicators and Common Features Christine Rohal, Karin Kettenring, Rebekah Downard, and Mark Larese-Casanova Department of Watershed Sciences, Quinney College of Natural Resources