Climate, time and human activity all play a key role in the formation of soil. Slight changes to any of these factors will result in different types of soil forming.
2. How soil is formed Climate
Provides frost, water, etc. to weather and erode rock
Influences vegetation and living organisms
Working with others: With the person next to you,
carefully examine figure 2. Try to memorise how climate, time and human activity influence soil
formation. Then take turns in telling each other how soil is formed. You can also draw figure 2 into your copy if it helps.
Provides water
Forms mineral particles
Organisms change plant litter into humus
All mix to form soil.
Human activity
Improves soil by fertilising, etc. Damages soil by overuse, etc.
Soil
Time
Soil takes a long time to form (in some cases hundreds of years per centimetre of depth).
