Climate change affects not only our economy and lifestyle but also weather, which ultimately impacts agriculture and soil. For example, when soil functions are disrupted, crops are less likely to reach maturity and affect the harvest. Also, with the climate changing drastically, plants have to adapt to new ecosystems, such as frequent droughts and floods.
But why and how exactly does the weather affect the soil? We asked a few industry experts and gardening enthusiasts from various walks of life to share their thoughts. Scroll down to discover more about the positive and negative effects of climate and weather on soil and what we can do to preserve it.
Why Does Weather Affect Soil?
“Weather is a huge factor in determining the condition of the soil. In gardening, it’s important that you know the present variables to understand how you can counter and create alternative methods to maintain a specific temperature. Weather contributes to a soil’s moisture and its organic matter content. During rainfall, the pH level of soil decreases, but the leaching of basic ions increases.
The temperature and moisture brought about by the weather can also influence chemical reactions and the ability of soil to decompose. Moist climates tend to allow quicker development for soils,” says Willie Greer, founder of The Product Analyst.
Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love, adds: “The soil we have on earth is made by weather. As rocks heat up, they expand, then shrink again when it gets cold. Eventually, they crumble, creating soil over very long periods of time. In addition to this, today’s weather affects the quality and make-up of the soil.
And according to Mia Greens, co-founder of FindThisBest, “a climate that is warm and wet favors the formation of new soil. The wetness, or rain, initiates chemical reactions that lead to the weathering of rocks and minerals. This is the process that leads to the formation of soil. Heat, on the other hand, catalyzes the rate of weathering. Therefore, the two factors, when combined, mean soil is formed faster than in other climates. In addition, bacteria and plants grow faster in warm and wet climates. This also fastens the weathering process, so more soil is created, faster.”
Top 5 Positive Effects of Climate and Weather on Soil
Brings Enough Moisture
“The positive and negative effects of weather on soil are often the same. Too much or not enough rain is bad for the soil, while an ideal amount of rain is perfect. Moisture is necessary for the microorganisms that make up the living parts of soil to thrive, as is a moderate temperature, neither too hot nor too cold.
A hard freeze can also be good for the soil. Water expands as it freezes, and when this happens in the soil, it can actually break up compacted areas, allowing water to infiltrate and roots to grow deeper.”
Garth Brown, Cairncrest Farm
Helps Get Nutrients
“Typical climates are responsible for helping soil get the nutrients it then passes on to plants. Every aspect of climate is involved in this process.”
Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love
Improves Plant-Soil Cover
“On the positive effects of climate, rain improves plant-soil cover enabling retention of the soil top layer. This vegetation also acts as a windbreaker. Weather causes the decomposition of plant material which adds to soil nutrients and fertility.”
Katherine Brown, the Founder & Marketing Director Spyic
Helps Increase the Crop Yields
“It helps in increasing the crop yields as a result of Carbon dioxide, fertilization, radiation use efficiency, and longer growing seasons which usually applies to species with C3 photosynthetic pathways.”
Scott Cam, CEO at Blueprint Homes
Helps Complete the Plant Life Cycle
“On soil with appropriately rooted plants and trees, the weather keeps the soil alive and nutritious. Rain keeps plants alive and helps stimulate the mycorrhizal network, which helps
the plants get the nutrients they need. Lightning adds nitrogen to the ground, which stimulates growth similar to nitrogen fertilizer. Wind and sun help dead material decay and return to the soil as nutrients, completing the plant life cycle.”
Melanie Musson, Gardening Expert at Clearsurance
Negative Effects of Climate and Weather on Soil
Can Break Down Soil Structure
“Negative effects from too much rain include a breakdown in soil structure – turning to mud, in other words – and even the potential for microbes and roots to be drowned if the soil is oversaturated for too long.”
Garth Brown, Cairncrest Farm
Can Lower the Productivity of the Land
“Extremely hot weather dries out soil and leads to the rearrangement of the normal soil profile. As the soil dries up, plants cannot grow. This leads to the loosening of the soil (instability). Loose soil is then distributed by different factors such as wind, animals, or human activities. Normally, the top, fertile layer is removed, leaving the less-fertile and rocky layers. When this happens, even when the rains come, the productivity of the land is poor.”
Jonas Rasmussen, Owner of Owl Ratings
Can Reduce Plant Growth
Negatively, dry weather reduces plant growth, causing erosion and soil displacement. Strong winds can also lead to displacement. Soil moisture and CO2 levels variably affect various soil processes and properties. These are relevant in its fertility and productivity. Increased temperatures also reduce the soil’s organic matter and structure.
Katherine Brown, the Founder & Marketing Director Spyic
Can Cause Compaction
“Moisture and high traffic on soil can cause compaction (when soil particles become pressed together). This is more common in smaller particle clay and heavy silt soils. When soil is compacted, there isn’t enough room between particles for water, air, or plants roots to move through.”
Taylor Lovato, Community Outreach Specialist at Sunday Lawn Care
Can Wash Away Nutrients
“Sharply changing climates can disrupt the delicate balance maintained in the soil even if you consider an area that’s been prone to flooding due to increased hurricane activity. The soil cannot hold any more water, which means the plant life is getting too much water and nutrients are getting washed away.”
Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love
3 Best Ways to Preserve Soil
While it can take a lot of effort and time to stop climate change, there are still a few easy things gardeners and farmers can do to help preserve soil and ensure a good harvest season.
Keeping It Covered With Living Plants
“The easiest way to preserving soil is to keep it covered with living plants as much of the year as possible. However, it’s also important to use common sense, like not driving heavy machines across bare ground immediately after a rainstorm.”
Garth Brown, Cairncrest Farm
Controlling Stormwater and Reduce Concrete Surfaces
“We can conserve soil by controlling stormwater. When this water accumulates in one place and stays there, it leads to leaching. Leaching happens when water washes away the soluble part of the soil, such as minerals, and leaves bare rock. By ensuring stormwater drains away quickly, we can preserve the active part of the soil.
We can also conserve the soil by reducing concrete surfaces. Concrete keeps water, sunlight, and air from penetrating underground. This means the process of weathering, which forms soil, is interrupted. Water is also an essential catalyst in decomposition, which creates humus and makes the soil more fertile. Therefore, concrete should be substituted with friendlier alternatives like paving stones to allow nature to happen.”
Thomas Brown, CEO of Wigsmaster
Balancing Tillage and Mulching
“If you can avoid tilling altogether, you don’t need to mulch, but if you must till, you should consider adding mulch to the top of your land, as tilling pushes organic material too far into
the earth to protect the soil and compost efficiently. While these tips are geared for agriculture, individuals can follow these same principles in their personal gardens and yards. For example, instead of planting your tomatoes in the same spot every year, rotate them with peas, carrots, and zucchini.”
Melanie Musson, Gardening Expert at Clearsurance
Here at EZ Screen, we want to help you reap as many benefits from your soil as possible. That’s why we manufacture powerful topsoil screeners to handle everything from topsoil, gravel, aggregate, and wood chips to street sweepings and more. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help choosing topsoil screening equipment, have any questions about our products, or simply want to discover how you can improve the quality of your soil.
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