What is humification?

Humification is specifically the process in which organic materials, such as dead plant and animal matter, decompose and transform into humus. Humus is a rich, dark, organic substance in soil that plays a critical role in enhancing soil fertility, improving soil structure, and helping retain moisture. During humification, microorganisms break down the organic material, leading to a stable state that contributes to the long-term productivity of the soil.

The other options refer to different soil-related processes. The formation of clay minerals involves the weathering of rocks and minerals, which is distinct from the breakdown of organic materials. The breakdown of rock into soil relates to physical and chemical weathering processes that convert bedrock into soil but does not encompass organic decomposition. Leaching, on the other hand, deals with the loss of soluble nutrients from the soil due to water movement, which is unrelated to the formation of humus. Each of these processes is important in the larger context of soil ecology, but humification specifically pertains to the transformation of organic matter into humus.