Question

Discuss the factors that influence the formation of soil

Answer 1

Soil is formed from broken down rock. Things like temperature, pH and moisture will affect how it is broken down. Organisms such as lichens give off acids that further break down rock, and the roots of higher plants can also do so. How fast it happens depends on the type of rock. During the process, organic matter lives, dies and is broken down to form part of soil. It provides nutrients to other species that do the same thing. With each layer of plant succession the soil becomes richer, deeper and more fertile. It's quite beautiful, really, but it all takes a long time.