Soil is made up of five components - rock, sand, silt, clay, and humus - which provide support and nutrients for plant growth. Weathering breaks down rocks to create soil, and erosion transports sediment and rocks. There are three layers of soil - topsoil, subsoil, and bedrock - with the topsoil containing the most humus and being most productive for plants. Conservation of soil as a natural resource is important, and can be achieved through practices like planting trees and grass, healthy farming, and planting gardens.