Parent material

Definition

Parent material is the rock or sediment from which a soil develops through weathering. It strongly influences texture, mineral content and natural fertility: soils formed on sandstone tend to be sandy, while those formed on clay-rich sediment tend to be heavy. It also explains why some ground is naturally salty or shallow, which should not be mistaken for damage. Parent material sets the starting point, and climate, vegetation and time shape the soil from there. See also: Soil horizon, Soil profile, Soil texture, and the guide "What Soil Degradation Is, What Causes It and Why It Matters".