Topography

Block diagram of soil depth within Highland environment. A hydrologic soil sequence in permeable parent material The configuration of the land influences the drainage and the subsequent formation of the soil:

• Differences associated with local climate e.g. the biological activity in soils (and the decomposition of plant litter) is much higher in warm, dry conditions at low elevation than at higher elevation where cool, wet conditions tend to prevail leading to peat formation.
• The formation of a hydrologic sequence of soils with different moisture regimes.
• The nature of the soil parent material and, in many instances, characteristics relevant to soil depth.