The soil is much more than just earth under our feet, it is a complex and dynamic system that harbors life, filters water and is essential for food production, meanwhile the climate, with its elements such as temperature and precipitation, plays a crucial role in the formation and evolution of soils. Soil formation, known as pedogenesis, is a process that takes thousands of years. Climate is one of the five main factors influencing this process, along with parental material, topography, living organisms and time.
In the same vein, among the climatic elements that influence the formation of soils are the temperature that accelerates the chemical and biological reactions that decompose rocks and organic matter, releasing minerals and nutrients that enrich the soil, according to Duran (2009), in cold climates, these reactions are slower, which can result in less developed soils. In the same way we can talk about precipitation, water is essential for the weathering of rocks and the transport of minerals and organic matter through the soil profile, the amount and type of precipitation influence the speed of these processes and the final composition of the soil.
It is necessary to mention that different climates give rise to different types of soil, each with unique characteristics, for example, we can mention a description made by Duran (2009)
- Hot and humid climates: in these regions, the high temperature and abundant rainfall favor the rapid decomposition of organic matter and the weathering of rocks, this gives rise to deep soils, rich in nutrients and with good drainage capacity, such as tropical soils.
- Cold climates: in cold climates, the low temperature limits biological activity and weathering, resulting in less developed soils, with lower organic matter and nutrient content.
- Arid climates: in arid climates, water scarcity limits weathering and the decomposition of organic matter. The soils of these regions are usually shallow, with low fertility and susceptible to erosion, such as desert soils.
The relationship between soil and climate is fundamental for life on earth, soils influence climate through their ability to store carbon and regulate the water cycle, in turn, climate affects the health and productivity of soils, which affects food production and biodiversity. Soil and climate are intrinsically related, climate influences the formation and characteristics of soils, while soils can influence the production of food and various natural processes. Understanding this relationship is essential for sustainable soil management and to face the challenges of climate change.
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- Durán, F. (2009). Soil study management and conservation of agricultural soil. Latin Group. Colombia.
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