Chapter 18: Problem 11

Briefly describe the contributions of the following factors and their effects on soil formation: parent material, climate, vegetation, landforms, time, and humans.

Short Answer

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Parent material provides the initial material that will be weathered into soil. Climate affects soil formation through precipitation and temperature. Vegetation contributes organic matter and reduces erosion. Landforms influence where water and sediments accumulate. Time allows processes to produce and mature soil. Humans can alter soil formation through various activities, both negatively and positively.

Step by step solution

Describing Parent Material

Parent material refers to the mineral material or organic material from which soil horizons form. Soils will inherit the properties of its parent material including texture, structure, color, mineral composition, and so on.

Describing Climate

Climate, including precipitation and temperature, greatly affects soil formation. More rainfall causes more weathering of the parent material, and also more leaching, which is the downward movement of material in the soil. Temperature can also affect the speed of weathering and organic matter decomposition.

Describing Vegetation

Vegetation influences soil formation by contributing organic matter to the soil through falling leaves and dead plant bodies. Plant roots also plays a role in weathering parent material and reducing erosion. Different types of plants lead to different soil characteristics.

Describing Landforms

Landforms, or relief, influences where water and sediments accumulate, which in turn affects soil formation. Uplands, hillslopes, and depressions will each have different soils due to variations in water movement and erosion.

Describing Time

Time allows the processes altering the parent material to produce soil. Some soils form quickly, others may take thousands of years. Over time, soils 'mature' and develop characteristics that fit the environment.

Describing Human factors

Human activities can greatly influence soil formation. Agriculture, deforestation, urbanization can all fundamentally change the properties of soil, often through erosion or change in organic matter content. However, humans can also take steps to conserve and improve soil health.

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Briefly describe the contributions of the following factors and their effects on soil formation: parent material, climate, vegetation, landforms, time, and humans.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Describing Parent Material

Describing Climate

Describing Vegetation

Describing Landforms

Describing Time

Describing Human factors

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