Protecting the ability of the soil resource to operate for the benefit
of all biological entities is a necessary and unarguable goal. Soils
are central to life, and the processes that occur in soils are crucial
components of the global ecosystem. Protecting these resources from d
eterioration as a result of human activities is the present focus of m
any, not only in the scientific community, but in society at-large. Ec
ologists, climatologists, hydrologists and, of course, agriculturalist
s are well aware of the importance of protecting soil quality. So too,
have land-use planners, public works engineers, water quality special
ists, and fertilizer and pesticide dealers become aware of the importa
nce of maintaining the ability of soil to sustain plant growth, infilt
rate and redistribute water and chemicals, and act as natural biologic
al Biters. The dynamic processes that exist in a soil system are the d
eterminants of the soil's condition, or quality, at any one time. Thes
e dynamic processes determine the potential of the soil to, for exampl
e, redistribute water, allow gas exchange, and bear a load at a specif
ic time. Prediction of soil quality must project the effect of these d
ynamic processes in current or proposed management systems, if soil qu
ality is to be maintained or enhanced.