Xuezheng Shi Wentai Zhang Biao Huang and Dongsheng Yu. Soil Information Acquisition and Monitoring in the Anthropocene of a Changing World. Soil Horizons 2012 53(2): doi: 10.2136-sh12-01-0001
Abstract
Social demands have boosted the development of soil science. According to different social demands soil science shouldered varied specific tasks in different time or countries. In the Anthropocene era human activities have already become the sixth soil-forming factor in addition to the natural factors. Soil scientists should not only focus on soil attributes but also place emphasis on the studies dealing with human activities driven by social demands. This article addresses three areas in which more focus is required to build a new “anthropedology” subject: (i) theory and methodology for acquiring information on soil change induced by anthropogenic factors; (ii) major factors controlling anthropogenic soil change; and (iii) building a universal soil classification system an old yet unresolved question. In conclusion soils have been more strongly affected by new types of human activities than ever before. Under intensive anthropogenic influences processes of soil change are accelerated. Soil scientists should not ignore soil changes by human activities in such a rapidly changing world in order for the development of soil science to meet the social demands.
