Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
about the geographical distribution of speciÝc soil properties and processes are they obliged to
look into soil classiÝcation issues in order to understand their geographical distribution in space
and time. This is, then, more related to applied research than to basic research.
This frequent apathy, and in the worst cases even antagonism, of specialists in these Ýelds
toward soil classiÝcation is very unfortunate, because they should play a very important role in
constructive interaction with pedologists during the development of classiÝcation systems. After
all, soil physical (texture; soil water relations), chemical (CEC; base content; etc.), and mineral-
ogical (clay minerals; sesquioxides) criteria are the most important parameters for determination
within a classiÝcation system.
D3: Division 3 - Soil Use and Management
The commissions under this division are the following:
Commission 3.1: Soil Evaluation and Land Use Planning
Commission 3.2: Soil and Water Conservation
Commission 3.3: Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition
Commission 3.4: Soil Engineering and Technology
Commission 3.5: Soil Degradation and Control, Remediation, and Reclamation
All commissions within this division depend very strongly on high quality soil classiÝcation,
because it is the basis for efÝcient land suitability evaluation, planning, and management. On the
other hand, soil classiÝers should carefully note the requirements of the experts in these Ýelds
regarding soil classiÝcation.
D4: Division 4 - The Role of Soils in Sustaining Society and the Environment
The commissions in this division are the following:
Commission 4.1: Soils and the Environment
Commission 4.2: Soils, Food Security and Human Health
Commission 4.3: Soils and Land Use Change
Commission 4.4: Soil Education and Public Awareness
Commission 4.5: History, Philosophy, and Sociology of Soil Science
All the commissions under this division have an interest in soil classiÝcation, because they
need information about the distribution of speciÝc soil characteristics or clusters of different soil
characteristics relevant in space and time, for their speciÝc research needs.
INTERRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOIL CLASSIFICATION AND RESEARCH
IN OTHER FIELDS OF SCIENCE
Soil classiÝcation also has a role in other natural, social, economic, and technical sciences. In
Table 5.2, Ýelds other than soil sciences are listed, as well as possible questions regarding soil
classiÝcation. In this table, it is clear that soil classiÝcation is important for many scientiÝc Ýelds:
agriculture, horticulture, forestry, many Ýelds within biology (such as botany, plant sociology, and
zoology), ecology, hydrology, geography, geology, land use planning, urban planning and archi-
tecture, archaeology, social sciences (such as ethno-sociology and economic sciences), and technical
sciences, in which soils and their distribution may play an important role, especially in the foun-
dation work for technical infrastructures, such as roads and buildings.
