what factors influence the formation of soil
Answers
Answer:
Time:
The formation of soils is a continuing process and generally takes several thousand years for significant changes to take place. The soils of Plymouth County began to develop immediately after the ice retreat of the last glaciation (Pleistocene), approximately 14,000 years ago. The soils are considered to be relatively young soils with slight alteration of parent material and weak soil horizon development. Most of the soil orders mapped in Plymouth County are Inceptisols, Entisols, and Spodosols.
Climate:
Climate, particularly temperature, precipitation and frost action have a profound influence on the soil forming processes which occur within a region. The kind of climate largely determines the nature of the weathering processes that will occur and the rates of these chemical and physical processes. It directly affects the type of vegetation in an area which in turn will affect those soil forming processes related to vegetation. Plymouth County is in a transitional climate zone with conditions characteristic of both humid marine and humid continental climates. The winters are quite mild for New England due to the moderating effect of the surrounding Atlantic waters. Temperature and precipitation (approximately 40 in/yr.) govern the rate of chemical and physical weathering of the soils and allows for the accumulation of organic matter in the surface layer of the soils. Moisture is sufficient enough to promote leaching of water-soluble material down through the soil. Cold winter temperatures allow for frost action which physically break apart rock fragments.
Topography and Relief
The shape of the land surface, its slope and position on the landscape, greatly influence the kinds of soils formed. In Plymouth County soils that formed in similar parent materials with the same climatic conditions exhibit differences as a result of their position on the landscape. These differences are largely a result of varying drainage conditions due to surface runoff or depth to water table.
Organisms
All living organisms actively influence the soil forming process. These organisms include bacteria, fungi, vegetation and animals. Their major influence is the effect on the chemical and physical environment of the soils.
Most, if not all of Plymouth County, was originally in native forest of mixed hardwoods and conifers in varying proportions. The mineral element content of leaves and branches varies depending on the type of forest vegetation, and influences the characteristics of the soils that develop beneath it. Hardwoods characteristically take up bases (calcium, magnesium, and potassium) from the soil and return them to the soil surface in the form of organic litter; thus recycling the soil nutrients. Coniferous trees tend to be low in bases, consequently soils developed beneath them tend to be more acid. Bases are also more susceptible to leaching beneath coniferous trees. Mixing of the soil, due to tree throws, is also a characteristic of woodland soils.
Some types of micro-organisms promote acid conditions and change the chemistry of the soil which in turn influences the type of soil forming processes that take place. Microbial animals decompose organic materials and return the products of decomposition to the soil.
Larger animals such as earthworms and burrowing animals mix the soil and change its physical characteristics. They generally make the soil more permeable to air and water. Their waste products cause aggregation of the soil particles and improve soil structure.
Man's activities have significantly altered many areas of natural soils in the county. The chemical and physical properties, particularly of the plow layer, have changed with cultivation and the addition of lime and fertilizer. Artificial drainage and filling have altered the environment of some naturally wet soils. Of all the animals, man can have the most beneficial or most detrimental impact on the soil forming processes.
Answer:
diurnal range of temperatures
types of rocks present
pH on rainfall
weather conditions
wind speed
Explanation:
Diurnal range of temperatures : if there are minute cracks that get filled with water during the day and at right the water freezes and expands thus making the crack deeper
Types of rock: basaltic rocks take more time to get eroded whereas rocks having iron get eroded easily .
pH of rainfall: acidic rain reacts with the minerals and help in erosion