FROM BIODIVERSITY TO GEODIVERSITY AND SOIL DIVERSITY. A SPATIAL UNDERSTANDING OF SOIL IN ECOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE FOREST LANDSCAPE

Abstract

In field ecology we have to satisfy 'geographical' objectives because of the spatial nature of the landscape, rather than theoretical 'typological' objectives. To understand and maintain biodiversity we must have some understanding of geodiversity. We therefore have to adjust our attitude to the dynamism of the soil system accordingly through geoecology. This is best undertaken by using soil-landscape analysis within a geomorphological paradigm which treats soil as layers of material with spatial extent. The recommendation is for viewing a 3-dimensional micro-catchment, or 'catenary unit', rather than the soil profile, as the fundamental natural unit of study. The soil profile, or pedon, is best used for observation and generic classification only. Soil diversity is best expressed as variations in selected soil attributes that are ecologically relevant rather than preconceived soil types developed for agricultural or other puproses. Classifying soil attributes by 'fuzzy logic' (or by other mathematical clustering means) suits this form of spatial analysis for soil attribute prediction. A fuzzy classification gives a set of multiple possibilities of soil attributes at any one point, compared with an intuitive conjecture that is likely from a soil profile classification.