pedology

Science of dirt

Pedology has two unrelated meanings.

In soil science, pedology is the study of soils—their formation, classification, and distribution across landscapes.

In medicine and psychology, pedology is the study of children and their development.

Context usually makes clear which field is meant: The pedology department analyzed soil samples from the excavation site.

soilscience

horizon

Apparent earth-sky meeting

profileSide-facing outline
textureSurface tactile quality
structureArrangement of interconnected parts

porosity · permeability · clay · silt · sand · loam · pH

soilformation

weathering

Atmospheric breakdown of materials

leachingDissolving out by liquid
humusDecayed organic soil matter
mineralsInorganic natural solids

oxidation · reduction · calcification · salinization · melanization

ecology

biome

Major ecological community

habitatOrganism's natural environment
decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
earthwormsSoil-dwelling segmented invertebrates

microbiome · detritivores · mycorrhizae · microfauna · nematodes · biogeochemistry

terrain

topsoil

Nutrient-rich surface earth

subsoilEarth layer below surface
regolithFragmented covering over bedrock
alluviumWater-deposited loose sediment

floodplain · terrace · slope · watershed · landform · hillslope · pediment · bajada · loess · till

agriculture

fertility

Capacity for reproduction

cultivationFostering growth through care
irrigationArtificial water supply for agriculture
compostingDecomposing organic matter deliberately

mulching · tillage · seedbed · drainage · aeration · no-till · mycorrhizae

Opposites

earth science focus

pedologypetrology

Scientific study of rocks

tectonics · geology · seismology · volcanology · oceanography

spatial scale

pedologyplate tectonics

Earth's crust mobility theory

crystallography

scientific approach to land

pedologyagronomy

Crop and soil science

Family

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