Soil Diversity (Pedodiversity) and Ecosystem Services

Soil ecosystem services (ES) (e.g., provisioning, regulation/maintenance, and cultural) disservices (ED) are dependent on soil diversity/pedodiversity (variability of soils), which needs to be accounted for in the economic analysis business decision-making. The concept pedodiversity (biotic + abiotic) is highly complex can broadly interpreted because it formed from interaction atmospheric diversity (abiotic biotic), biodiversity (biotic), hydrodiversity lithodiversity (abiotic) within ecosphere anthroposphere. Pedodiversity influenced by intrinsic (within soil) extrinsic (outside factors, also relevant ES/ED. concepts measures may need adapted ES framework applications. Currently, there four main approaches analyze pedodiversity: taxonomic (diversity classes), genetic horizons), parametric properties), functional (soil behavior under different uses). objective this article illustrate application value ES/ED with examples based contiguous United States (U.S.), its administrative units, systems classification U.S. Department Agriculture (USDA) Taxonomy, Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database). This study a combination original research literature review examples. Taxonomic exhibits high diversity, 11 orders, 65 suborders, 317 great groups, 2026 subgroups, 19,602 series. ranking “soil order abundance” (area each U.S.) expressed as proportion total area is: (1) Mollisols (27%), (2) Alfisols (17%), (3) Entisols (14%), (4) Inceptisols Aridisols (11% each), (5) Spodosols (3%), (6) Vertisols (2%), (7) Histosols Andisols (1% each). Taxonomic, genetic, parametric, an essential context analyzing, interpreting, reporting framework. Although approach used separately, three these (genetic, functional) fall “umbrella” pedodiversity, separates soils properties important potential use. Extrinsic factors play major role should valuation various databases National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) databases). crucial identifying capacity (pedocapacity) “hotspots” part decision making provide more sustainable use resources. not static construct but dynamic, human activities agriculture, urbanization) lead degradation even extinction.