Pedology
Also called: Soil science · Topic: Geomorphic Processes: Weathering, Mass Movement, Erosion and Soil Formation · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 1 "Geography as a Discipline"; Class 11, Ch 5 "Geomorphic Processes"
Meaning
Pedology is the science of soils. It studies how soils form (pedogenesis), and their properties, layers, types and spread. A soil scientist is called a pedologist. The Russian scientist V.V. Dokuchaev, who worked in the 1880s, is regarded as the founder of soil science. Pedology matters to geography because soil geography uses it to explain why different soils are found in different places. This knowledge is basic to farming, forestry and land planning.
Example
In India, the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning in Nagpur, Maharashtra, applies pedology to survey and map the country's soils for land-use planning.
Don't confuse with
- Pedogenesis: the process of soil formation itself. Pedology is the science that studies soils, including that process.
- Soil geography: a branch of geography that studies where soil types are found. It draws on pedology but focuses on distribution.