Complete the word wheel. Factors influencing soil formation.
Answers
➢ Factors are::
Parent material:
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 so on.
Soil formation:
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.
Climate:
This is probably the most important factor that can shape the formation of soils. Two important climatic components, temperature and precipitation are key.Moisture determines the chemical and biological reactions that will occur as the soils are formed.
Relief:
This refers to the landscape position and the slopes it has. Steep, long slopes mean water will run down faster and potentially erode the surfaces of slopes. The effect will be poor soils on the slopes, and richer deposits at the foot of the slopes. Also, slopes may be exposed to more direct sunlight, which may dry out soil moisture and render it less fertile.
Organisms:
The source and richness of organic matter are down to the living things (plants and animals) that live on and in the soils. Plants, in particular, provide lots of vegetative residues that are added to soils. Their roots also hold the soils and protect them from wind and water erosion.