i) Explain how the following factors influence soil formation;- Climate- Living organismsii) Give three factors that determine the colour of the soil.
Answer Text: i) - Climate-Seasonal variation of rainfall can cause accumulated concentration of salt in the soil- Rainfall provides water which make it possible for rocks to disintegrate to form soil- Rainfall also affect the rate at which some soil forming processes can occur (leaching)- High temperatures increase the rate of weathering by accelerating the rate of bacterial activities which generates some of the organic matter in the soil- Wind, ice, water erode, transport and deposit soil particles in other areas leading to the formation of new soils- Living organisms- Living organisms add organic matter to the soil- Areas with thick vegetation lead to the formation of fertile humus laden soils which is quite useful in aeration- Bacteria help to decompose organic matter- Bacteria fixes nitrogen into root nodules of plants thus enriching the soil- Human activities can change the nature of the soil throughgrazing cultivation, use of fertilizers e.t.c.b ii) - Type of parent rock- Amount of organic matter- Chemical composition i.e. minerals- Drainage of the soil or amount of water in the soil
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