What are the three soil constituents that make up soil?

Soil is fundamentally composed of three primary constituents: sand, silt, and clay. These particles vary in size, affecting soil texture, structure, and overall function within an ecosystem. Sand particles are the largest and provide good drainage and aeration but have low nutrient-holding capacity. Silt particles are medium-sized and help to retain moisture and nutrients better than sand. Clay, being the smallest constituent, has a high nutrient and water retention capacity but can become compacted easily, hindering drainage. The combination of these three particle types is essential in determining soil characteristics, moisture retention, aeration, and overall soil health, making them critical to understanding soil composition in environmental contexts.