Factors Influencing Soil Formation

- Nature of the rock influences the rate of weathering
- The rock determines the soil texture e.g., large-grained rocks produce large-grained soils

- They assist in the breaking down of rocks through burrowing
- The roots of bigger plants break up the soil as they grow and allow water to pass through

- It determines the rate of weathering e.g., steep slopes encourage a high rate of weathering
- It influences soil depth e.g., gentle slopes have deep soils while steep slopes have thin soils
- It influences soil drainage e.g., where land is flat, soils are poorly drained

- Affects the rate and type of weathering that takes place
- Determines the rate of leaching
- Elements of climate i.e., Temperature accelerates weathering leading to soil formation

- For soil to reach maturity, time is required