Our Motivation

The sum total of all the soils is termed as the "pedosphere". The pedosphere is the skin of the Earth and only develops when there is a dynamic interaction between the atmosphere (air in and above the soil), biosphere (living organisms), lithosphere (unconsolidated regolith and consolidated bedrock) and the hydrosphere (water in, on and below the soil). The pedosphere is the foundation of life on this planet. There is a realization that the pedosphere needs to be distinctly recognized as a dynamic interface of all terrestrial ecosystems and be integrated into the Earth System Science knowledge sphere. Also, the pedosphere needs to be studied, valued, enhanced and treated in a sustainable and an ethical manner.
 
Since its inception in 1999, Pedosphere.com aimed to become an extensive repository of Soil Science knowledge through partnerships with major international organizations and also be an active player in global Soil Science education by creating high quality, interactive resources that engage Soil Science students, instructors and professionals.
 
Over the past 12 years, our experience has taught us that it is better to separate knowledge of Soil Science which is at a global scale from that which is at the national scale. Thus, through Pedosphere.Com we will bring forward, address and solicit scientific Soil Science knowledge at a global scale. Since my professional experience has been in USA and Canada and the resources which existed on Pedosphere.Com use the Canadian System of Soil Classification, we have moved these to a separate domain, Pedosphere.Ca. We have now set distinct paths for these websites and hope that you will visit and learn from both of them.

Where Can I Find the Resources Which Existed On the Original Version of Pedosphere.Com?

The following resources are now accessible through Pedosphere.Ca. Please update your links:
 

Pedosphere.Com Primary Resources

1. Pedosphere.com's Introductory Soil Science Textbook
2. Pedosphere.Com Soil Science Test Center

Pedosphere.Com Online Soil Science Learning Resources:

1. Editorials
2. Interviews with Prominent International Soil Scientists
3. Pedosphere.com Soil Science Glossary
4. Soil Texture Triangle Bulk Density Calculator
5. Soil Texture Triangle Hydraulic Properties Calculator
6. Soil Classification Utilities
7. Photo Journals for Virtual Field Trips

Pedosphere.Com Online Searchable Soil Science Books:

1. Canadian System of Soil Classification, 3rd edition (In collaboration with Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada and NRC Research Press, Ottawa, Ontario)
    
   
2. Keys to Soil Taxonomy, 8th edition (In collaboration with USDA-NRCS, Lincoln, Nebraska)

The pedosphere issues page will evolve to became a very active section of the website. Watch for further development of this page.

Feel free to contact me at njuma@pedosphere.com.
 
Noorallah Juma, Ph.D., P.Ag.
Founder/Team Leader
Pedosphere.com & Pedosphere.Ca
Academic Profile - njuma.pedosphere.com
Academic Profile - Download PDF
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