Factors Affecting Soil Formation (Leaving Cert Geography): Flashcards
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Five main factors of soil formation
Five main factors of soil formation
Climate, parent material, topography, organisms, time
Most significant factor in soil formation
Most significant factor in soil formation
Climate
Effect of hot climates on soil weathering
Effect of hot climates on soil weathering
Accelerates chemical weathering processes
Main weathering process in cold climates
Main weathering process in cold climates
Freeze-thaw cycles
Leaching in wet climates
Leaching in wet climates
Water washes nutrients from A horizon to B horizon
Salinisation
Salinisation
Salt build-up on/near soil surface, toxic to plants
Calcification
Calcification
Calcium accumulation creating hard, impermeable layers
Parent material
Parent material
Original bedrock from which soil minerals develop
Soil type from igneous rocks
Soil type from igneous rocks
Acidic soils with low pH
Soil type from limestone
Soil type from limestone
Calcium-rich, dark-coloured soils (terra rossa)
Topography
Topography
Arrangement of physical features on Earth's surface
Soils formed in flat upland areas
Soils formed in flat upland areas
Gley soils and peat deposits
Humification
Humification
Fungi/bacteria break down organic matter to create humus
Time needed for soil formation
Time needed for soil formation
Thousands of years
Age of Irish postglacial soils
Age of Irish postglacial soils
Less than 10,000 years old