Eupedology: A Solution to a Controversy

摘要

The following is a shortened version of the article "Soil Science: unde venis et quo vadis?' (Been. J, 2006), which submitted a proposal to end the recurrent controversy or misunderstanding concerning soil science versus pedology. Historically, thereis more support showing that soil science and pedology are synonyms than for the new, restrictive, unjustifiable view that pedology is merely a branch or subdiscipline of soil science, as some authors propose. I understand the desire of some soil scientists to highlight differences between their speciality in terms of the study of soil genesis, classification and geography (formerly Commission V of ISSS and currently, the First Division of IUSS) and other branches of soil science (i.e., soil chemistry,soil biology, fertility, etc.). This is not new; in 1950 del Villar stated and proposed the name of geoedaphology (= geopedology) for this "new branch". Although the zeal of some soil science specialists to delimit their speciality is understandable, however, it does not appear to be consistent with classifying it with the same designation of pedology, a synonym of soil science, for one century. I feel this would only be a root of confusion, something that should be avoided. Hence, my article proposes the name of eupedology for this subdiscipline.