Despite the fact that they are the terrestrial surface we live on and that they provide the physical base for virtually all human activities, soils are probably the least understood of our planet's ecosystems. The ultimate goal of soil scientists is to understand all aspects of soil resources. They do so by identifying, interpreting and managing soils in connection to agriculture, forestry, rangeland, ecosystems, urban uses and reclamation. Soil science may comprise work within the realms of biology, ecology, geology, geography, chemistry, physics, microbiology, and mathematics. Careers in soil science include a wide variety of professional opportunities both within private companies, environmental and agricultural consulting firms, governmental institutions and universities. The following are examples of activities conducted by soil scientists (from the Soil Science Society of America educational website):
- conducting research in public and private research institutions
- managing soils for crop production, forest products and erosion control management
- teaching in colleges and universities
- predicting the effect of land management options on natural resources
- advising land managers of capabilities and limitations of soils
- recommending soil management programs
- helping to design hydrologic plans in suburban areas
- evaluating nutrient and water availability to crops
- managing soils for landscape design, mine reclamation, habitat conservation and site restoration
- assessing environmental hazards
- regulating the use of land and soil resources by private and public interests
Did you know? Soil scientists are also known as pedologists. In Greek: πέδον, pedon, means "soil". The term ‘pedology’ was coined by Friedrich Albert Fallou (1794-1877) who established the study of soils as an independent science, separate from geology. Vasily V. Dokuchaev (1846-1903) is commonly regarded as the father of soil science and he created the first soil classification. A crater on Mars is named in his honor.
Photos from ICBA