What is the significance of the E horizon?

The E horizon holds significance as the leaching layer within the soil profile. This horizon is typically characterized by lighter colored soil due to the loss of minerals and nutrients through a process known as eluviation. Essentially, the E horizon acts as a zone where water movement facilitates the washing away of valuable materials, including clay, iron, and other nutrients, leading to the depletion of these elements in this layer.

Understanding the role of the E horizon is crucial, as it influences the fertility of the soil and the availability of nutrients to plants. In agricultural contexts, knowing how soil layers interact and how nutrients travel through them can help in managing soil health. The E horizon typically lies beneath the O (organic) layer and above the B (subsoil) layer, making it a critical layer for understanding the overall soil profile and its functionality.

Other options discuss different soil layers or properties that do not pertain directly to the specific function of the E horizon, such as organic accumulation or erosion effects, which do not capture the essence of leaching. Therefore, the emphasis on the E horizon as a key area for nutrient and mineral loss underscores its importance in soil science and ecology.