Final answer:
Surface soils and sediments in periglacial environments are highly influenced by past glacial activity, which has affected soil forming factors, topography, and drainage patterns. Glaciers have deposited a variety of soil materials and created landscapes that affect microclimate, water runoff, and soil erosion, leading to different soil characteristics across varying topographies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Surface Soils and Sediments in Periglacial Environments
Surface soils and sediments in a periglacial environment are frequently influenced by various factors, primarily glacial activity, which has left a considerable impact on the soil forming factors. Glaciers have shaped the landscape by removing pre-existing soils, hence many soils in glacial regions are comparatively young. Furthermore, they have deposited a diverse range of soil materials and have created various topographies which are essential for the development of soils. This topography influences soil properties through effects on microclimate, erosion, and water infiltration.
Regions with steep slopes, such as those created by glaciation, experience more erosion and less soil development compared to flatter areas. For instance, south-facing slopes in the northern hemisphere receive more sunlight, making them warmer and drier, which affects soil moisture and, consequently, vegetation type and soil depth. In contrast, the moister north-facing slopes often have more plant growth, stabilizing the soil and leading to thicker soil development.
Furthermore, glaciers facilitate soil drainage differences. Well-drained soils are often found on slopes and tend to be brown or reddish due to the oxidation of iron, whereas poorly drained soils in lowlands or depressions can become gleyed and accumulate more organic matter.
In periglacial regions, phenomena such as soil creep or solifluction can be observed, where the freeze-thaw cycle during frosty conditions causes the soil to expand and then settle into terraces upon thawing. Overall, the interplay between climate, organisms, relief, parent material, and time results in unique soil characteristics shaped largely by the influence of past and present glacial activity.