ON THE RELATIONS BETWEEN COMPLEX-SYSTEMS AND THE FACTORIAL MODEL OF SOIL FORMATION (WITH DISCUSSION)

The application of nonlinear dynamical systems (NDS) theory to pedolog y involves the interaction of complex systems theory, which has not ye t been widely applied to field-oriented sciences such as pedology and soil science, where applications of NDS theory are recent and relative ly rare. The gap between pedologists and systems theorists can be narr owed by reconsidering Hans Jenny's factors of soil formation model. Th e latter is an inherently holistic, systems-oriented approach and evid ences a concern (in common with NDS theory) with qualitative changes i n (soil) system states. Jenny's own reformulation of the original stat e factor model assigns a strong role to initial conditions and histori cal contingency, implicitly recognizing the possibilities of self-orga nization and deterministic chaos. Many fundamental concepts from nonli near dynamics are thus already embedded in familiar pedologic theory, making the former more accessible to pedologists. Similarly, the links between NDS and soil state factor theory should help nonlinear system s theorists conceptualize the real-world implications and limitations of NDS theory on and in the ground. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.