The Pedosphere

Soil is an essential component of

Earth that enabled life to exists on
the planet and continues to
support it.
-is derived from the Greek
It forms the pedosphere (the words pedon which means
foundation of terrestrial life on “soil” and sfaira which
Earth) means sphere.
The Pedosphere Atmosphere
It is the living skin of
Earth which is a result of
the dynamic interaction
among the hydrospeher, Biosphere Hydrosphere
biosphere atmosphere,
and the hydrosphere.

Geosphere

Pedosphere
Soil Formation
Soil forms when rock weathers.
Five factors that affect soil formation:

1. Parent Material – the

parent or source material is
important in soil formation
because its chemistry and
type will determine the kind
of soil that will be formed
along the effects of the other
factors.
2. Climate.
- temperature, rainfall, and
moisture affects the pattern and
intensity of soil-forming
processes such as weathering,
leaching, transportation, and
distribution. All soil types vary
depending on climate.
3. Topography. The gradient of the slope affects water flow and erosion. Soils
that form in steep slopes tend to be thinner because of the higher rates of
erosion.
Slope aspect, which is the direction of the slope face, affects temperature and
moisture as slopes facing the sun are warmer. Thus, different types of soil form
in different landforms.
4. Biological factors.
Animals and microorganisms mix
the soil through burrowing, while
plant roots aid in the weathering
process as they grow.

Microorganisms affect nutrient

and chemical exchange between
roots and soil.

Human activities such as

agriculture and urbanization
have positive and negative
effects on the quantity and
quality of soil.
The formation of soil is a long and continuous
process which may take hundreds to thousands of
years depending on the climate and environment.

200-400 years to develop 1 cm of soil.

The rate is faster in tropical climates and much
longer in dry and cold climates.
Surface horizon (A) is composed of mineral matter
mixed with some dark organic humus.

Subsoil (B) is the accumulated clay and other

nutrients from the layers above it.

Substratum (C) is composed of partially altered

parent material.

Bedrock (R) – “not a soil”

Regolith – bedrock covering
Answer:

What human activities are dependent on the use

of soil and how do these activities affect soil
quality?