Pedology

Pedology is the study of soil involving the science and nature of soil and how soil influences living organisms (edaphology). The findings in pedology have a wide range of implications and applications outside of the field of soil. These findings will tell us the nature of how erosion may occur or can even be applied to finding ways to increase the efficiency of farming. Soil generally involves numerous interactions between the climate; micro-organisms, plants, animals, and their residues; and the mineral materials from rocks. Often pedology involves some knowledge in meteorology, climatology, ecology, biology, and even hydrology. This is because soil is deeply connected to all parts of the earth: the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.

A large part of the study of pedology involves understanding the genesis of soil. There are generally five factors that affect soil genesis. These are the climate, organisms, relief, parent material and time. Climate affects the rate at which soil forms as well as the amount of organisms present in the soil. Generally, soil develops more in areas of high rainfall and warmth. Organisms can have all sorts of effects on soil genesis such as the eroding of rocks to subsequently form soil. Parent material determines the type of soil that will be formed and the soil's makeup.

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