what is soil? analyse the factor which help in formation of soil
Answers
Answer:
The soil is one of the important components of the sustainability of an ecosystem because it is the vitally important natural medium for the growth of vegetation. It can be defined as, the upper layer of earth in which plants grow, a black or dark brown material typically consisting of a mixture of organic remains, clay, and rock particles. Here, we are giving brief note on the major factors which are responsible for the formation of the Soil.
Explanation:
Factors Responsible for the Formation of Soil
The relief features, parent material, climate, vegetation and other life-forms as well as time apart from human activities are the major factors responsible for the formation of soil.
1. Parent Material: It is deposited by streams or derived from in-situ weathering. In this stage, soil inherits many properties like the mineral composition, the colour, the particle size and the chemical elements. For example- Black soil derived its colour from lava rock
2. Climate: It is one of the important factors in the formation of soil because it affects the rate of weathering of the parent rock.
What is Tide, why it occurs and how it is important for human life?
3. Role of precipitation: The variability in the precipitation modified the composition of the soil. For Example- Areas with little rainfall with high rate of evaporation led to the accumulation of salts in the soil. The soils underlying tropical rain forests tend to be nutrient-poor because of intensive leaching due to heavy rains.
4. Role of temperature: It is also play important role because fluctuations in temperature causes shrinking and swelling, frost action and general weathering in soils.
3. Biota (Flora, Fauna and Microorganisms): Biota, in conjunction with climate, modifies parent material to produce soil. For Example- Leguminous plants (such as beans, peas, and groundnuts) have nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These plants take the nitrate ions directly from these nitrogen-fixing bacteria. It improves the fertility of soil by fixing atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia or ammonium.
Biota
What is Tide, why it occurs and how it is important for human life?
5. Topography (Relief, Altitude and Slope): It is considered as passive factor to modifying the effects of climate because it affects soil processes, soil distribution and the type of vegetation.
6. Time: The formation of the soil is not one day process but requires 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.
Answer:
Soil is a mixture of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and organisms that together support life
Explanation:
factors of soil formation
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. 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.
factors of soil formation
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. With time, they settle and are buried deeper below the surface, taking time to transform. Eventually they may change from one soil type to another.
factors of soil formation
Climate:
This is probably the most important factor that can shape the formation of soils. Two important climatic components, temperature and precipitation are key. They determine how quickly weathering will be, and what kind of organic materials may be available on and inside of the soils. Moisture determines the chemical and biological reactions that will occur as the soils are formed. Warmer climate with more rainfall means more vegetative cover and more animal action. It also means more runoff, more percolation and more water erosion. They all help to determine the kind of soils in an area.
factors of soil formation
Relief:
releif and soils quality
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.
factors of soil formation
Organisms:
The source and richness of organic matter is down to the living things (plants and animals) that live on and in the soils. Plants in particular, provide lots of vegetative residue that are added to soils. Their roots also hold the soils and protect them from wind and water erosion. They 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.
i have given 5 sorry but hope this helps