The main branches of soil science are pedology ― the study of formation, chemistry, morphology, and classification of soil ― and edaphology ― the study of how soils interact with living things, especially plants. Sometimes terms which refer to those branches are used as if synonymous with soil science. The diversity of names associated with this discipline is related to the various associations concerned. Indeed, engineers, agronomists, chemists, geologists, physical geographers, ecologists, biologists, microbiologists, silviculturists, sanitarians, archaeologists, and specialists in regional planning, all contribute to further knowledge of soils and the advancement of the soil sciences.
thE main branchEs of sOiL scieNce aRe pEdolOgY ― the study OF formatiON, cheMisTry, morphoLogy, AnD CLassIFicaTion oF SOil ― and edapHOLOGY ― the study oF hoW soils iNtErAct with livinG ThinGs, ESpeCiAlly pLaNtS. sometimes tErms WHIch rEFer to thOSe bRAnches are used as IF synOnymous witH soIL science. the divErSiTy of names assOCiated WIth ThIs disCiplINE is rELAted To THe vArIous assOCiAtiOns coNCErNed. inDeeD, engineerS, agrOnoMisTs, chemiSTs, geoLogIsTS, physiCaL geogrApHerS, ecOlogiStS, bioLOgIsTS, microbiolOgiSts, siLViCuLTuRisTS, sanitariaNs, archAeOLOGiSts, and SPeCialists iN reGioNAL PLanninG, all cONtribUtE tO fURther kNowleDGe of Soils aNd thE advaNcEMEnt Of THe soIL ScienCes.