Climate

Climate

It is the average weather conditions at a particular place over period of time as determined by temperature, precipitation, wind velocity and other morphological factors.
Climate is the dominant factor of soil formation because of the effects of temperature, rainfall and wind.
These sub factors affects the rate of chemical, physical and biological processes that are responsible of soil development. The biochemical changes are sensitive to temperature.
These changes are favoured by temperature range of 20-30oC. Temperature also influences the organic matter content of the soil. Decomposition of organic matter is more at higher temperature. Moisture is another important actor in soil formation. Rainfall is the major source of moisture. In areas receiving low rainfall, there is shallow accumulation of carbonates in the soil, in humid areas, acid soils are developed under conditions of intense weathering and leaching. Erosion caused by water may remove upper fertile portion of soils and may deposit it at some other places. A soil is said to be developed when it has detectable layers horizons), such as accumulated clays, organic colloids or soluble salts that have been moved by water.
Wind can affect soil development through erosion as it may decrease the depth of soil developed and may damage the vegetation. In sandy area, the destructive effect of wind is more pronounced. Climate also influences the natural vegetation. In humid regions, high rainfall provides an environment favourable or the growth of trees. In contrast, grasslands are dominant with native vegetation in semi-arid regions and shrubs of various kinds in arid areas. In these the vegetation is not dense enough to protect soil from wind and water erosion.





Location: Pakistan

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