Soil as part of the Earth system

The idea that soil or the pedosphere is connected to other terrestrial spheres dates back at least 1880. Some 26 years later, interdependency of was established, but a fully integrative approach addressing interdependence biosphere, pedosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and toposphere did not emerge until advent Earth Systems Science during 1980s. A significant development within re-evaluation pedosphere’s role in global system, outcome which twofold: first, an appraisal as two-way interactor with spheres, study has given rise some “new” pedologies—biopedology, geopedology, topopedology, hydropedology, anthropopedology; second, key component what become known Earth’s Critical Zone. background, current status, prospects these hybrid pedologies extent they truly deal interdependencies environment are focus this article.