Editing Soil science (section)

==Areas of practice==
Academically, soil scientists tend to be drawn to one of five areas of specialization: [[Soil microbiology|microbiology]], [[pedology]], [[edaphology]], [[Soil physics|physics]], or [[Soil chemistry|chemistry]]. Yet the work specifics are very much dictated by the challenges facing our civilization's desire to sustain the land that supports it, and the distinctions between the sub-disciplines of soil science often blur in the process. Soil science professionals commonly stay current in soil chemistry, soil physics, soil microbiology, pedology, and applied soil science in related disciplines.

One exciting effort drawing in soil scientists in the U.S. {{As of|2004|lc=on}} is the Soil Quality Initiative. Central to the Soil Quality Initiative is developing indices of soil health and then monitoring them in a way that gives us long-term (decade-to-decade) feedback on our performance as stewards of the planet. The effort includes understanding the functions of soil microbiotic crusts and exploring the potential to sequester atmospheric carbon in [[soil organic matter]]. Relating the concept of agriculture to [[soil quality]], however, has not been without its share of controversy and criticism, including critiques by Nobel Laureate [[Norman Borlaug]] and World Food Prize Winner [[Pedro A. Sanchez|Pedro Sanchez]].

A more traditional role for soil scientists has been to map soils. Almost every area in the United States now has a published [[soil survey]], including interpretive tables on how soil properties support or limit activities and uses. An internationally accepted soil taxonomy allows uniform communication of soil characteristics and [[soil functions]]. National and international soil survey efforts have given the profession unique insights into landscape-scale functions. The landscape functions that soil scientists are called upon to address in the field seem to fall roughly into six areas:

* '''Land-based treatment of wastes'''
**[[Septic system]]
**[[Manure]]
**Municipal [[biosolids]]
**Food and fiber processing waste
* '''Identification and protection of environmentally critical areas'''
**Sensitive and unstable soils
**[[Wetland]]s
**Unique soil situations that support valuable [[habitat conservation|habitat]], and [[ecosystem diversity]]
* '''Management for optimum land productivity'''
**[[Silviculture]]
**[[Agronomy]]
***[[Fertilizer|Nutrient]] management
***[[Irrigation|Water]] management
**Native vegetation
**[[Grazing]]
* '''Management for optimum water quality'''
**[[Stormwater]] management
**[[Sediment]] and [[erosion]] control
* '''Remediation and restoration of damaged lands'''
**[[Mine reclamation]]
**Flood and storm damage
**Contamination
* '''Sustainability of desired uses'''
**[[Soil conservation]]

There are also practical applications of soil science that might not be apparent from looking at a published soil survey.

* '''[[Radiometric dating#Short-range dating techniques|Radiometric dating]]''': specifically a knowledge of local pedology is used to date prior activity at the site
**[[Stratification (archeology)]] where soil formation processes and preservative qualities can inform the study of [[archaeological site]]s
**[[List of geological phenomena|Geological phenomena]]
***[[Landslide]]s
***[[Active faults]]
* '''Altering soils to achieve new uses'''
**[[Radioactive waste#Vitrification|Vitrification]] to contain [[radioactive waste]]s
**Enhancing [[soil life|soil microbial]] capabilities in degrading contaminants ([[bioremediation]]).
**[[Carbon sequestration]]
** [[Environmental soil science]]
* [[Pedology]]
** [[Pedogenesis|Soil genesis]]
** [[Pedometrics]]
** [[Soil morphology]]
*** Soil micromorphology
** [[Soil classification]]
***[[USDA soil taxonomy]]
***[[World Reference Base for Soil Resources]]<ref name=WRB/>
* [[soil life|Soil biology]]
** [[Soil microbiology]]
* [[Soil chemistry]]
** Soil biochemistry
** Soil mineralogy
* [[Soil physics]]
** [[Pedotransfer function]]
** [[Soil mechanics]] and engineering
* Soil hydrology, [[hydropedology]]

===Fields of application in soil science===
* [[Climate change]]<ref name="raul" />
* [[Ecosystem]] studies
* [[Pedotransfer function]]
* [[Soil fertility]] / Nutrient management
* [[Soil management]]
* [[Soil survey]]
* Standard methods of analysis
* [[drainage basin|Watershed]] and [[wetland]] studies
* [[Land Suitability classification]]

===Related disciplines===
* [[Agricultural sciences]]
** [[Agricultural soil science]]
** [[Agrophysics]] science
** [[Irrigation]] management
* [[Anthropology]]
** [[Stratification (archeology)|archaeological stratigraphy]]
* [[Environmental science]]
** [[Landscape ecology]]
* [[Physical geography]]
** [[Geomorphology]]
* [[Geology]]
** [[Biogeochemistry]]
** [[Geomicrobiology]]
* [[Hydrology]]
** [[Hydrogeology]]
* [[Waste management]]
* [[Wetland]] science