Knowra Soil science Soil science Soil science studies soil as a natural resource, including its formation, classification, physical and chemical properties, biology, and roles in ecosystems and human use.
Pedology : The study of soil in its natural environment, including its formation, classification, and landscape distribution. It focuses on soil as a body shaped by environmental processes.
Soil formation : The development of soil through interactions among climate, organisms, relief, parent material, and time. These interacting factors explain why soils differ across landscapes.
Soil fertility : The capacity of soil to supply essential nutrients in forms and amounts that support plant growth. It connects soil properties with crop growth and nutrient management.
Soil taxonomy : A hierarchical system for classifying soils, developed by the United States Department of Agriculture. It provides standardized names and diagnostic criteria for comparing soils.
Soil ecosystem services : The benefits people obtain from soil processes, including food production, water regulation, and nutrient cycling. It frames soil functions in terms of their direct and indirect benefits.
Edaphology : The study of soil in relation to plant growth and other living organisms. It emphasizes soil’s effects on organisms and human use.
Soil horizon : A distinct layer in a soil profile, formed by processes that alter or accumulate materials. Horizons record soil-forming processes at different depths.
Soil conservation : The protection of soil from erosion, degradation, and loss of productive capacity. Soil knowledge guides practices that limit damage and preserve function.
World Reference Base for Soil Resources : An international system for naming and classifying soils, coordinated by the International Union of Soil Sciences. It offers a global alternative to the USDA classification system.
Biogeochemical cycle : The circulation of chemical elements through living organisms and the physical environment. Soil processes connect terrestrial ecosystems to global element cycles.
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