Give the importance of soil. Explain …

Importance of soil

As one it the most important components of the sustainability of an ecosystem, soil we said be of great importance when it comes to the growth of vegetation.

Factors Responsible for the Formation of Soil are

1. Parent Material: Deposited by streams or derived from in-situ weathering, these soil come with many properties like the mineral composition, the color, the particle size, and the chemical elements.

2. Climate: The rate of weathering of the parent rock is affected by varied climate. Hence it is said to be an important factor in determining soil formation.

3. Role of temperature: Any change in temperature can cause shrinking and swelling, frost action and general weathering in soils. Hence, temparature is said to play a vital role in soil formation.

Soils provide plants with essential minerals and nutrients. Soils provide air for gaseous exchange between roots and atmosphere. Soils protect plants from erosion and other destructive physical, biological and chemical activity. Soils hold water (moisture) and maintain adequate aeration. Soils form from the interplay of five main factors namely Parent material, Time, Climate, Relief and Organisms. Parent material: This refers to the mineral material or organic material from which the soil is formed. ... This is probably the most important factor that can shape the formation of soils.