Soil science
Study of soil as a natural resource and its management.
Soil science is the systematic study of soil as a natural resource found on Earth’s surface, focusing on how soils form, how they are classified and mapped, and their physical, chemical, biological, and fertility-related properties. These properties are examined in relation to how soils are used and managed. The field is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing contributions from engineers, agronomists, chemists, geologists, physical geographers, ecologists, biologists, microbiologists, silviculturists, sanitarians, archaeologists, and regional planning specialists, all of whom advance the understanding of soils. Soil occupies the pedosphere, a conceptual sphere within the geosciences, and is studied through two main historical branches: pedology, which examines soil in its natural setting, and edaphology, which studies soil in relation to its uses. Both branches integrate soil physics, chemistry, and biology. Because the pedosphere hosts numerous interactions among the biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere, broader, less soil-centric perspectives are also valuable. Many key soil concepts have originated or been refined by individuals outside strict soil science, such as biologists or philosophers, underscoring the field’s interdisciplinary nature. Research continues to yield new discoveries, driven by concerns about climate change, greenhouse gases, carbon sequestration, biodiversity maintenance, and the study of past cultures. Soil mapping, historically done through field surveys and contour reporting on geographic maps, has increasingly adopted digital approaches using remote sensing data to quantify soils in space and time. The international soil classification system is the World Reference Base for Soil Resources, which replaced the FAO system and is based mainly on soil morphology as an expression of pedogenesis, unlike USDA soil taxonomy which includes soil climate. Vernacular classification systems also exist, using nominal or descriptive names based on obvious characteristics like color, texture, or performance. The earliest known soil classification comes from a Chinese text from the 5th century BCE, dividing soil into three categories and nine classes by color, texture, and hydrology. Modern soil science was founded by Friedrich Albert Fallou and Vasily Dokuchaev, who separately identified soil as a distinct natural resource separate from geology an
- field
- Soil science
- branches
- Pedology and edaphology
- sub-disciplines
- Soil physics, soil chemistry, soil biology
- earliest known classification
- China, Yu Gong (5th century BCE)
- founders
- Friedrich Albert Fallou and Vasily Dokuchaev
Lore & Background
The earliest known soil classification system comes from China, appearing in the book Yu Gong (5th century BCE), dividing soil into three categories and nine classes based on color, texture, and hydrology. Contemporaries Friedrich Albert Fallou, the German founder of modern soil science, and Vasily Dokuchaev, the Russian founder, are both credited with identifying soil as a resource distinct from geology and crop production. Fallou had primacy in time, but Dokuchaev's work is considered more significant to modern soil theory. Previously, soil was considered a product of chemical transformations of rocks; Dokuchaev viewed soil as a natural body with its own genesis and history, formed by climate, vegetation, relief, and age.
Reader's Guide
Soil science is significant because it addresses the preservation of soil and arable land amid a growing population, possible future water crisis, increasing per-capita food consumption, and land degradation. The field has two main historical branches: pedology (study of soil in its natural setting) and edaphology (study of soil in relation to soil-dependent uses). Research continues to yield discoveries driven by climate change, greenhouse gases, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and past cultures. Soil mapping evolved from field surveys to digital approaches using remote sensing. Soil science professionals work in soil biology, pedology, edaphology, physics, or chemistry, often blurring sub-discipline distinctions, with the Critical Zone concept providing a framework for cross-disciplinary research.
Did You Know?
- The earliest known soil classification system comes from China, appearing in the book Yu Gong (5th century BCE).
- Friedrich Albert Fallou and Vasily Dokuchaev are both credited as founders of modern soil science.
- Light (sandy) soils are less sensitive to cattle trampling because they are more resistant to compaction than heavy (clay) soils.
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