Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
1
CHAPTER
Philosophies of Soil Classifications:
From Is to Does
S.W. Buol
CONTENTS
Abstract ..............................................................................................................................................3
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................4
Indigenous ClassiÝcations..................................................................................................................4
Anthology of Soil ClassiÝcations ......................................................................................................4
Philosophy of Selecting a Unit of Soil to Classify...........................................................................5
Philosophy of ClassiÝcation to Accommodate Soil Mapping ..........................................................6
Utilitarian Expectations of Soil ClassiÝcation ..................................................................................7
Benchmark Philosophies of Soil ClassiÝcation ................................................................................8
Multiple Systems................................................................................................................................9
Conclusions ........................................................................................................................................9
References ........................................................................................................................................10
ABSTRACT
Philosophies of soil classiÝcation are guided by existing knowledge and pragmatic circum-
stances. Soil is a natural entity that connects the inorganic minerals of earth to the organic organisms
of life, and is therefore germane to several academic disciplines. Each of these disciplines seeks
to identify and classify soil in relation to its entity of study. Pedologists have established, through
deÝnition and classiÝcation, that soil
an entity worthy of independent academic recognition.
People who seek nourishment and utilitarian support from soil identify and classify it by criteria
that relate to what it
is
as it interacts with their attempts to utilize land resources. Political entities
seek guidance in evaluating the impact of policies and regulations on soil-related natural resources.
Soil classiÝcation provides a link between soil samples and the natural entities on the land surfaces
of earth, and is a communicator of soil properties as spatially represented on maps of diverse scales
and in soil property aggregation. No single classiÝcation can equally serve all who seek to study
and obtain sustenance from soil. Several classiÝcations, each guided by a philosophy of service to
an identiÝed audience, are required.
does
