"Soil science is the study of soil as a natural resource on the surface of the Earth including soil formation, classification and mapping; physical, chemical, biological, and fertility properties of soils; and these properties in relation to the use and management of soils."
Deals with the properties, classification, and management of soils.
Soil properties: Physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil, including factors that affect those properties like climate, parent material, topography, and time. Understanding soil properties is essential in soil science as it helps in identifying the soil type, nutrient content, drainage characteristics, and how the soil responds to disturbance.
Soil formation: The process by which soil is formed including weathering, biotic and abiotic factors, soil erosion, and deposition.
Soil classification: Classification, categorization, and mapping of soils based on their properties. This helps farmers and other professionals to understand soil profiles and their properties, thereby ensuring informed decision-making on crop selection or management.
Soil fertility: Understanding how plants obtain nutrients from soil and how to assess and maintain soil fertility through appropriate nutrient management, including organic fertilizer application and manure management.
Soil management practices: The application of appropriate soil management practices aimed at enhancing the productivity of the soil, including tillage methods, crop rotation, and cover crops, among others.
Soil conservation: Understanding the importance of soil conservation practices for long-term soil productivity and the management of soil erosion and runoff in agricultural landscapes.
Soil health: The capacity of soil to support plants and other organisms while maintaining environmental quality, and the impact of soil management practices on soil health.
Soil microbiology: The study of microorganisms in soil and their roles in nutrient cycling, soil formation, and soil health.
Soil and water interactions: The relationship between soil and water including the impact of soil management practices on water quality, availability, and conservation.
Soil analysis: Techniques used to analyze soils, including soil testing, soil sampling, and soil mapping.
Agroecology: A holistic approach to agricultural production that understands ecological processes in conservation strategies and food production.
Land use management: Land use management techniques for cropping and grazing systems.
Soil carbon sequestration: The process of capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and storing it within soil organic matter.
Soil microbiome: Microbiome - an ecosystem in the soil that can have a significant impact on soil fertility, plant health, and overall soil health.
Soil bioremediation: The process of using soil organisms to remove contaminants from soil through microbial degradation, metabolization, or adsorption.
Sustainable Agriculture: A farming practice that aims to protect the long-term productivity of the soil and reduce the harmful impacts of agricultural practices on the environment.
Soil erosion: The process by which soil is worn away by wind or water, the negative impacts of soil erosion, and erosion control techniques.
Soil habitat: The types of creatures that live in soil, including those critical for soil health.
Soil physics: The study of soil's physical properties.
Permaculture: A farming method that uses sustainable agriculture practices, including careful water management, soil conservation, and biodiversity conservation.
Soil physics: The study of the physical properties and behavior of soils, including their texture, structure, and water movement.
Soil chemistry: The study of the chemical properties of soils, including the makeup and interactions of soil components, nutrient availability, and soil acidity.
Soil microbiology: The study of the microorganisms that live in soils and their functions in nutrient cycling, decomposition, and soil fertility.
Soil pedology: The study of soil formation, classification, and mapping based on physical, chemical, and biological properties.
Soil ecology: The study of the interactions between soils, plants, animals, and microorganisms and their impact on ecosystem health.
Soil conservation: The study of how to sustainably manage soil resources to prevent erosion, maintain soil fertility, and promote long-term productivity.
Soil fertility: The study of how to maintain and improve soil quality for agricultural production, including soil nutrient management and soil amendment strategies.
Soil management: The study of soil tillage practices, crop rotations, and other agricultural practices that affect soil health and productivity.
Soil water management: The study of how to manage water resources in soils for optimal crop growth and productivity, including irrigation practices and water conservation strategies.
Soil biology: The study of the living organisms in soil and ecosystem processes related to their activity in soil.
"Sometimes terms which refer to branches of soil science, such as pedology (formation, chemistry, morphology, and classification of soil) and edaphology (how soils interact with living things, especially plants), are used as if synonymous with soil science."
"Indeed, engineers, agronomists, chemists, geologists, physical geographers, ecologists, biologists, microbiologists, silviculturists, sanitarians, archaeologists, and specialists in regional planning, all contribute to further knowledge of soils and the advancement of the soil sciences."
"Soil scientists have raised concerns about how to preserve soil and arable land in a world with a growing population, possible future water crisis, increasing per capita food consumption, and land degradation."
"Pedology focuses on the formation, chemistry, morphology, and classification of soil."
"Edaphology focuses on how soils interact with living things, especially plants."
"Soil science studies the physical, chemical, biological, and fertility properties of soils."
"Soil science studies the properties of soils in relation to the use and management of soils."
"Soil science includes the study of soil classification and mapping to understand the different types and properties of soils on Earth's surface."
"Engineers, agronomists, chemists, geologists, physical geographers, ecologists, biologists, microbiologists, silviculturists, sanitarians, archaeologists, and specialists in regional planning all contribute to further knowledge of soils and the advancement of the soil sciences."
"Engineers contribute to the advancement of soil sciences by studying soil properties for construction and infrastructure purposes, such as building foundations."
"Soil science plays a crucial role in agronomy by studying the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils, which helps in understanding and optimizing crop growth and productivity."
"Geologists and hydrologists contribute to soil science by studying the interaction between soil and water, including water movement and water-holding capacity of different soil types."
"Soil science studies land degradation and soil preservation to address concerns about environmental sustainability and the long-term health of arable land."
"Soil science provides valuable information for regional planners to make informed decisions about land-use planning and development, considering the specific properties and limitations of different soil types."
"Soil scientists are concerned about how to preserve soil and arable land in a world with a growing population."
"Soil science is essential for understanding soil fertility and nutrient management, which are crucial aspects of ensuring food security with increasing per capita food consumption."
"Microbiologists study the microbial communities within soils, playing a significant role in soil science and its understanding of biological interactions in soil ecosystems."
"Soil scientists consider the possible future water crisis and its implications for soil water availability and management as a research focus within soil science."
"Soil scientists raise concerns about land degradation and its impact on soil health and productivity, emphasizing the importance of sustainable land management practices."