Climate affects soil formation through local differences in precipitation (snowfall and rainfall) and temperature. It also indirectly influences the soil by determining the mass and distribution
of plant communities, the soil water balance over long periods, the rate of decay of organic matter and any change in soil temperature.
Temperature increases the rate of reactions
-
For every 10°C rise in temperature, the speed of a chemical reaction increases
by a factor
of 2 or 3. This influences the weathering rate (hydrolysis) of soil minerals.
For every 10°C rise in temperature between 0°C and 35°C, microbial activity doubles.
In temperate climates most micro-organisms are inactive below 5°C although many are
capable of survival at both extremely hot (80°C) and
cold (<0°C) conditions.
