Theory question 103
Agricultural Ecology(a) Mention two major elements of climate.
(b) Discuss six ways by which climate and vegetation influence soil formation.
Show the model answer
Model answer
(a) Any two: rainfall; temperature; relative humidity; wind; sunshine/light
(b) Any six: rainfall supplies water for chemical weathering (hydrolysis, solution); heavy rain causes leaching and erosion; temperature changes cause expansion and contraction of rocks; high temperature speeds chemical reactions and decomposition; wind erodes and deposits particles; vegetation adds organic matter (humus) when it decays; roots break rocks and bind soil; plant cover protects soil from erosion; organisms in vegetation release acids that weather rock
Explanation
Separate climate effects from vegetation effects.