What are the main factors influencing soil formation and composition, and how do parent material, climate, topography, organisms, and time interact to produce diverse soil types and properties such as texture, structure, fertility, and soil horizons?

Soil formation is influenced by several factors, including parent material, climate, topography, organisms, and time. Parent material refers to the underlying geological material from which soil develops, such as bedrock or sedimentary deposits. Climate, including temperature and precipitation, influences the rate of weathering and decomposition, affecting soil development. Topography affects soil erosion, drainage, and deposition processes, leading to variations in soil depth and composition. Organisms such as plants, animals, and microorganisms contribute to soil formation through organic matter decomposition, root growth, and soil bioturbation. Over time, these factors interact to produce distinct soil types with characteristic properties such as texture, structure, fertility, and soil horizons.