Final answer:
The factors affecting soil formation include climate, parent material, topography, biological factors, and time, with each playing a pivotal role in the development of soil horizons and composition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of soil production is influenced by several critical factors, including climate, parent material, topography, biological factors, and time. Each factor contributes differently to soil formation—an ongoing natural process that results in the layering known as soil horizons.
Climate impacts soil through temperature and moisture, affecting weathering and the biological activity necessary for soil development. The parent material determines the initial composition and nutrients available in the soil, and over time, its influence can diminish as it is weathered and mixed.
Topography or the lay of the land affects soil by influencing erosion and water runoff, which then affects soil depth and fertility. Finally, time allows for the complex processes of deposition, weathering, and organic matter accumulation to mature the soil profile.