Soil forming factors

• Parent material: Rock types effect soil
• Soft rock = thick soil as it erodes faster.
• Hard rock = thin soil as it erodes slower
• Rainfall: Causes a lot of leaching washing minerals from soil.
• Cold climate: Ice aids breaking up of rock. However less Biota to mix up soil.
• Warm/mild climate: More biota to mix up soil
• South facing slopes: More sun and warmer
• Steep slope: increases leaching.
• Flat land: water logging.
• High altitude (height): Cold and wet
• Low altitude (height): Warm and dry
• Organisms (Biota): e.g. worms, add nutrients when they die, mix soil, break down organic/inorganic material.
• Vegetation: Supply soil with nutrients, deep roots means parent material can be broken down, coniferous - acidic humus, deciduous - mild humus