What are the spaces between soil particles called?

The spaces between soil particles are referred to as pore spaces. These pore spaces are critical as they facilitate the movement of air and water through the soil, which are essential for plant growth and microbial activity. Pore spaces are categorized into different sizes; larger pores, known as macropores, allow for the rapid movement of air and water, while smaller pores, or micropores, retain moisture. This balance of pore spaces affects soil aeration, drainage, and root penetration.

Air pockets might suggest the presence of trapped air but do not encompass the entire concept of soil’s structural voids that include both air and water. Soil aggregates pertain to clumps of soil particles that form larger structures, impacting how the soil interacts with water and nutrients, but do not directly define the spaces between particles. Macrostructures, while they denote larger formations or arrangements within the soil, do not accurately capture the definition of the voids between individual soil particles themselves. Thus, pore spaces is the precise term that effectively describes the gaps crucial for ecological functions in the soil.