Factors affecting soil surfaces&characteristics

Factors affecting soil surfaces&characteristics

1. 1.Climate

   • is the most important factor in soil formation, it affects the rate of weathering and the amount of living organisms in the soil.
     • climate will also determine weather leaching,gleying,sanisation,calcification or humanification is prevalent in a soil.

2. 2.Relief

   • influences the depth and drainage of soil. Hilly land can lead to thin soils lowlands are usually warmer and flatter.
     • Flat upland areas can be cold and wet causing water logging.

3. 3.Parent material

   • influences the pH of a soil,its colour, its water content and its texture and structure.

4. 4.Organic matter

   • influences soil fertility. the dictate the amount of water and oxygen in soil.
     • they help create humus by decomposing dead plants and animals.
       • plants also help keep soil together with their roots,impacting the structure of soil.

5. 5.Time

   • the more time that soil forming processes are active, the more developed the soil beocmes.