Soil as a Resource : Geography

There are different types of soil – each with distinct composition and appearance. The most important characteristic of topsoil is that it provides a suitable environment for plant growth.

Soil is the most important renewable natural resource. It is the medium of plant growth and supports different types of living organisms on the earth.

1. It takes millions of years to form soil upto a few cms in depth. Various forces of nature such as change in temperature, actions of running water, wind and glaciers, activities of decomposers etc contribute to the formation of soil.
2. Parent rock or bedrock, climate, vegetation and other forms of life and time are important factors in the formation of soil.
3. Chemical and organic changes which take place in the soil play an important role.
4. Soil also consists of organic (humus) and inorganic materials.