The Systems Approach in Soil Science and Landscape Science

Abstract

The article describes the current state of the systems approach in two closely related scientific disciplines - soil science and landscape science. It is shown that, despite the widespread recognition of the need to apply the systems approach to solving topical theoretical and practical problems in these disciplines, it remains unrealized. This is manifested in the prevailing view of soils as systems rather than as elements of higher-order systems, the mixing of the basic landscape elements with their properties, the recognition of landscape systems and elements as spatially heterogeneous formations, the different understanding of emergent properties, structure, hierarchy of soil and landscape systems, and, as a result, in the absence of their unified system definitions, basic classification systems, consistent multiscale global maps, and, finally, a hierarchical decision-making system for sustainable management, protection and assessment of soils and landscapes. It is shown that such a situation is largely due to the conceptual-terminological confusion around the systems approach in philosophy. At the end of the article, the authors share their own experience in applying the systems approach in soil science and landscape science.