Towards “New Soil Geography”: Challenges and Solutions. A Review

Abstract

This paper provides a review of the current state of soil geography and budding directions for the development of pedogeographic research. We mention some new ideas in the frames of structural approach rooting in the classical concept of soil cover pattern and based on new concepts, such as pedodiversity assessment, graph theory, and geostatistical analysis of soil spatial variation. We note the significance of digital soil mapping in the development of the theory and practice of pedogeography and stress that digital soil mapping is a method that cannot replace soil geography as a scientific discipline. There is a need for deeper integration of mathematical methods in traditional soil geography. We stress that pedogeographical models are required for predicting soil properties and regimes even in digital agriculture. We discuss the necessity for adequate reflection of polygenetic soils in the soil mantle, and recommend using both indirect paleogeographic information and current remote and proximate sensing data. We also note the difficulties in predicting the spatial distribution of anthropogenically transformed soils using state factor theory; we discuss the possibilities of broader use of historical and economical geography data. In conclusion, we suggest developing “new soil geography” not only through integration of mathematical methods but also through closer integration with allied sciences.