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What are the five main factors of soil formation? Explain how each one contributes to soil profile development.

User Nimi
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The five main factors of soil formation are: Parent Material, Climate, Living Organisms, Landscape Position and Time.


1. Parent Material: Parent Material refers to the organic and mineral material where soil formation begins.


2. Climate: Climate determines the rate of weathering through it's influence on the temperature of the soil.


3. Living Organisms: Animals living in the soil affect decomposition of waste materials and how soil materials will be moved around in the soil profile.


4. Landscape: The type of landscape also effects soil formation. Uplands, Depression and Floodplain are examples of landscapes.


5. Time: The longer a soil has gone through weathering, the more the natural changes occur to that area.

User Irwan Madness
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