Soil Formation

A soil development process, called pedogenesis, that transforms rock into soil. The process is influenced by the interactions of climate, organisms, the parent rock material, topography and time.
• Climate, particularly temperature and moisture variables, but also the impact of high winds.
• Organisms which decompose to from organic matter as well as consequences from their physical activity, for example, digging.
• Parent rock provides the core characteristics for soil, including texture, structure and fertility.
• Topography influences erosion and water run-off, along with influencing micro-climates.
• Time, and a long period of it, is required to gradually transform rock into soil.

Soil formation is initiated by the actions of different weathering processes: Biological, Chemical and Physical.