The position of paleopedology in geosciences and agricultural sciences

Paleopedology is a relatively young science with roots in various older geo sciences. At present it suffers from a lack of clear definitions and fundam ental principles. Nevertheless it has considerable potential for applicatio ns in stratigraphy, paleontology, sedimentology, archeology, paleoclimatolo gy, seismology, geomorphology, soil classification and agriculture. Consequ ently it could play a major coordinating role in soil science, especially i n contributing to a natural, strongly genetic system of soil classification . We suggest that such a system, with emphasis on development of soil prope rties in relation to current and past environmental factors, would be of gr eater value in all these subjects than the current systems designed princip ally for agricultural interpretation. (C) 1998 Published by INQUA/Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.