Question

How is mountain soil formed?

Answer 1

Hint: Soil is made up of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and organisms, all of which work together to support life. The pedosphere, or body of soil on Earth, has four purposes: as a substrate for plant development, as a source of water storage, supply, and purification, as a modulator of Earth's atmosphere, and as a home for creatures.

Complete solution
The process of soil development as influenced by geography, environment, and history is known as pedogenesis. Within soils, biogeochemical processes can generate and destroy order (anisotropy). These changes result in the formation of soil horizons, which are differentiated by variations in colour, structure, texture, and chemical. These characteristics may be seen in patterns of soil type distribution, and they arise as a result of variations in soil formation factors. Soils are produced as a result of mechanical weathering induced by snow, rain, temperature changes, and other factors.
Various weathering mechanisms transform source material into soil. Organic matter collection, decomposition, and humification are just as essential as weathering in soil formation. The solum is the zone of humification and weathering. Chemical weathering is aided by soil acidity caused by soil respiration. Through root exudates, plants contribute to chemical weathering. Deposition of sediments on floodplains and alluvial fans, as well as wind-borne deposits, can enhance soils. Soil mixing (pedoturbation) is a crucial aspect of soil formation. Churning clays, cryoturbation, and bioturbation are all examples of pedoturbation. Eluviation and leaching of soluble components are aided by soil moisture content and water movement across the soil profile. The transfer of colloid material, such as organic materials, clay, and other mineral compounds, is referred to as eluviation. Differences in soil moisture and chemistry, particularly soil pH and redox potential, cause transported components to be deposited. Different soil layers emerge from the interaction of removal and deposition.

Note :
Features/Characteristics:
(i) These soils are diverse in nature, and their characteristics alter with altitude and the presence of a hilly environment.
(ii) Although the soils are high in humus, they are low in potash, phosphorus, and lime.
(iii) The soils are particularly well suited to the cultivation of tea, coffee, spices, and tropical fruits.
(iv) In the valleys, the soil is loamy and silty, whereas on the upper slopes, the soil is coarse grained. In the snow-covered regions, it is acidic and has a low humus concentration. It is fruitful in the valleys' lower reaches.