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Describe the Soil forming factors

      

Describe the Soil forming factors

  

Answers


Felix
1.Parent material:
>This refers to the mineral material, or organic material from which the soil is formed.
>Soils will carry the characteristics of its parent material such as color, texture, structure, mineral composition and permeability.
For example, if soils are formed from an area with large rocks (parent rocks) of red sandstone, the soils will also be red in color and have the same feel as its parent material.

2.Time:
>Soils can take many years to form.
>Younger soils have some characteristics from their parent material, but as they age, the addition of organic matter, exposure to moisture and other environmental factors may change its features.
>Eventually they may change from one soil type to another.

3.Climate:
>Of importance is temperature and precipitation.
>When precipitation exceeds evaporation, leaching of the soil will occur.
>Temperature determines the rate of reactions; chemical and biological decay and so has an influence on weathering and
humification.

4.Organisms:(Plants and animals)
>Plants provide vegetative residue cover.
>Roots also hold the soils and protect them from erosion.
>Plants shelter the soils from the sun and other environmental conditions, helping the soils to retain the needed moisture for chemical and biological reactions.
>Fungi, bacteria, insects, earthworms, and burrowing animals help with soil aeration.
>Worms help breakdown organic matter and aid decomposition.
>Animal droppings, dead insects and animals result in more decaying organic matter.
>Microorganisms also help with mineral and nutrient cycling and chemical reactions.

5.Topography and Relief:
>It's the shape of the land surface, its slope and position on the landscape
Impacts:
>It influences soil profile thickness i.e. as angle of slope increases so does the erosion hazard.
>It has an effect on climate which is also a soil forming factor.
>Gradient affects run-off, percolation and mass movement.
>It influences aspect which creates micro-climatic conditions.


Anganifelix answered the question on June 11, 2018 at 11:17


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