What is calcification in the context of soil processes?

Calcification refers specifically to the process where water, typically in drier regions, rises through soil and brings dissolved minerals to the surface. As this water evaporates, often in hot climates, it leaves behind minerals such as calcium carbonate, which can accumulate in the soil profile. This process helps to enrich the soil in these minerals, thereby impacting soil fertility and structure.

In contrast, leaching represents the removal of nutrients from the soil as water drains away, which is opposite to what happens in calcification. The introduction of minerals into the soil can occur through various natural processes but is distinct from calcification, which is more about the upward movement of water and subsequent mineral accumulation. Soil erosion refers to the removal of the topsoil layer by wind or water, again differing from the mineral enrichment aspect of calcification. Understanding calcification is important for recognizing how soil quality can be affected by climatic conditions.