Back B. P. Wakentin
Department of Crop and Soil Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
Full Paper (PDF File: 61KB)
Abstract
Soil science is in transition from a paradigm that was driven by a short-term goal of maximum crop yield to one driven by the need to assure the long-term soil functions necessary for healthy ecosystems. During this transition, soil structure, which determines the habitat for soil biological processes, is being emphasized over chemical processes. Concerns for soil quality are changing from pollutants in soils to the buffering function of soil, to the advantages of soil variability, to concepts such as the degrees of freedom in uses of soils, and to an antidegradation policy for soils. Compartmentalized thinking about soils, based on the present divisions of soil science, is giving way to planning based on integrating concepts of soil functions. Organization of soil science research and teaching are reflected in the changes in the comprehension of, and planning for, sustained use of soils.