Schillaci, Calogero ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7689-5697, Alves, Grace B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7598-0467, Bayad, Mohamed ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5574-6924, Bondi, Giulia ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8896-0262, Burn, Christopher R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8372-2927, Breure, Timo ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5695-8064, Certini, Giacomo, Chen, Songchao ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1245-0482, D'Amico, Michele E., Dridi, Imene ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9753-7634, de Feudis, Mauro, González, Axel Cerón ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9244-2513, Hannam, Jacqueline ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6661-3537, Jones, Arwyn, Maerker, Michael, Mantel, Stephan, Michéli, Erika ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8111-8005, Montanarella, Luca, Panagos, Panos ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1484-2738, Rennert, Thilo ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1435-2157, Saia, Sergio, Scalenghe, Riccardo, Terribile, Fabio, Tlili, Ahlem ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0349-8791, Vingiani, Simona, Yunta, Felipe ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7053-9760, Xia, Yushu, Zafeiriou, Ioannis ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4214-2734, Zdruli, Pandi, Zucca, Claudio and Evans, Daniel L. (2026) Soil profiles: a window into soil genesis and degradation. European Journal of Soil Science (EJSS), 77 (3):e70322. ISSN 1351-0754 (Print), 1365-2389 (Online) (doi:10.1111/ejss.70322)

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Abstract

In this commentary, we argue that the soil profile represents an indispensable window into the soil system. The soil profile is a vertical section of the soil body that represents a pattern in the landscape. The description and interpretation of the layers and horizons from the surface to the parent material or bedrock is the language of soil scientists to record and communicate the story of the soil. The story tells the evolution (genesis) of the soil and explains the resulting physical, chemical, and biological properties. The exposed profile can therefore help in determining the soil's potential to provide ecosystem services as well as its suitability for different land-use applications. Efforts to classify soils globally across different climates and land management by soil profiling have contributed extensively to soil mapping and have enabled stakeholders to make informed decisions for sustainable land management. Despite its utility and significance, the soil profile has almost become a “lost language” within soil science. Pedology, as a subject within which soil profiling was once vehemently instructed and practiced, has notably declined in the past decade. The number of fully trained pedologists has dwindled, and investment in training the next generation in the art of profiling has declined. The trained pedologist may represent something of an endangered profession, yet soil profiling has allowed and continues to allow vital discoveries to be made about the soil system. This commentary traces the progress and trends on the study of soils over the century, considering their genesis, functions, and degradation captured by a profile. We chart the transformative contributions of remote and proximal sensing to advance soil science in the past decades, and how these findings have been used to ensure more sustainable and resilient land management practices. Furthermore, in chronicling the evolution of soil profiling, we aim to set out an inspiring roadmap for the next generation of pedologists to motivate them to “pick up the shovel” and engage with profiling without fear. Profile characterization is not only science but also literacy. Now that soil degradation has become a priority concern, careful observation and description of the profile are more important than ever, not only for diagnostic purposes but also as a historical record of the current, unique state of the soil.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This article also appears in:75th Anniversary Special Issue: Advancing a Systems Theory for Soils.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	soil science, soil profiles, soil formation
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences Q Science > Q Science (General) S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Engineering & Science Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute > Centre for Sustainable Agriculture 4 One Health Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute > Centre for Sustainable Agriculture 4 One Health > Ecosystems Services
Last Modified:	25 Jun 2026 07:08
URI:	https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/53826

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