Soil Formation - SS1 Agriculture Lesson Note
Soil is a crucial component of the Earth's surface, and it forms through a complex process called pedogenesis.
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Soil formation involves several interrelated factors:
- Parent Material: The type of rock or unconsolidated material from which soil forms influences its composition. For example, soil derived from granite will have different properties than soil from limestone.
- Climate: Climate plays a significant role in soil formation. Factors like temperature, precipitation, and the presence of freeze-thaw cycles affect the rate of weathering and the development of soil horizons.
- Topography: The landscape's shape and slope influence water drainage, which, in turn, affects the distribution of soil. Steep slopes may lead to erosion, while flat areas accumulate more soil.
- Biological Activity: The presence of vegetation and organisms like earthworms and bacteria contributes to the breakdown of organic matter, which enriches the soil with nutrients and organic material.
- Time: Soil formation is a gradual process that occurs over centuries to millennia. Older soils tend to be more developed and have distinct horizons.
- Human Activity: Human activities like agriculture and construction can alter soil composition and structure significantly.
Soil profiles often have distinct horizons or layers, including the O horizon (organic matter), A horizon (topsoil), B horizon (subsoil), and C horizon (weathered parent material).
Understanding soil formation is essential for agriculture, ecology, and land-use planning, as different soils have varying fertility and drainage properties.