What is meant by soil structure?

Soil structure refers to the arrangement of soil particles into aggregates or peds. This characteristic of soil is significant because it affects many aspects of soil health and function, including water infiltration, aeration, and root growth. Properly developed soil structure allows for voids between aggregates, which facilitate the movement of air and water, ultimately influencing plant growth and the ecosystem's overall productivity.

Each type of soil structure impacts how well the soil can retain moisture, how easily roots can penetrate, and how soil organisms can thrive. A well-structured soil promotes a healthy environment for plants, while poor soil structure can lead to issues such as compaction, poor drainage, and inadequate aeration.

In contrast, the distribution of minerals in soil relates specifically to its composition rather than how those particles are organized, the total volume of soil refers to the mass of soil present in a given area rather than its organization, and permeability speaks to the soil's ability to transmit water, which is influenced by but not synonymous with the soil's structure itself. Thus, understanding soil structure is crucial for establishing sustainable land use and effective agricultural practices.