Final answer:
Characteristics such as the presence of diverse microorganisms usually indicate healthy soil since they are crucial for nutrient cycling and supporting plant growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the characteristics of healthy soil, we can refer to the soil quality, which is influenced by several factors including chemical composition, topography, living organisms, climate, and time. Healthy soil is necessary for plants to obtain essential mineral nutrients.
Characteristics of Healthy Soil:
B) Presence of diverse microorganisms:
A soil teeming with diverse microorganisms is often an indicator of good soil health. These microorganisms play a crucial role in the decomposition of organic matter, nutrient cycling, and supporting plant growth.
Characteristics like high acidity, low nutrient content, limited water retention capacity, and a compacted and barren appearance would typically classify as indicators of poor soil. Such conditions make it difficult for plants to thrive due to constraints in nutrient availability, water supply, and poor structure for root growth.