Evolution of key concepts in modern pedology with reference to Italian soil survey history

Abstract

In the second half of XIX century, early soil scientists were rooted in disciplines like agro-chemistry and geology. Their approach to soil science was consequently influenced by their cultural background. During the first half of the past century, Italian pedologists were engaged in seeking for a clear identity, consolidating the scientific status of pedology, but the elaborated concepts remained mainly within the Academia's walls. Most of the soil maps produced by academy in those years were mainly aimed at improving the knowledge of the Italian soils, their general relationships with the environmental factors and their distribution, and with few exceptions their applicability was limited. At the end of the past century, with the definition of the responsibilities of regional governments on environment, agriculture and land planning, soil survey services were set up in most of the Italian regions. Main aim of the regional soil surveys was providing information for the correct and sustainable use of soil and supporting other regional services, such as agricultural or land use planning services. This, led pedology to cope with societal and political demands, which asked for a more strict link between research and applications. Despite the lack of a clear structure in management, soil surveys were undertaken in most of the Italian regions whose coherence of approaches was guaranteed by several national scale projects in which most of the research and technical institutions were involved. At the present time, the cooperation within the whole soil science community remains an imperative necessity, for exploiting at best the existing information, focusing on priorities, with a flexible and pragmatic approach, capable to valorise local knowledge and assure consistency at National and European level.