Soils are structural and functional elements of terrestrial ecosystems, which are formed in a historical process of development through the interaction of geological, climatic and biotic factors at the respective site. Soil is the fundamental source of life for all living beings. As the physical and chemical properties of soils exert great influence in the distribution and development of vegetation, it needs to be studied and evaluated from time to time. The soil forming process is very slow and time taking. It takes normally thousands of years for the soil formation. Therefore, we are studying the past activities while analysing the soil profile at present. The parent material, topography, geological processes, climatic conditions, vegetation and human interferences play major roles in formation and development of soil profiles in particular area. Similarly, our activities at present will certainly influence the soil profiles in far future.

Geological factors include the type of parent material and its mineral composition, the relief of the area, its exposition and the groundwater regime. Climatic factors include the level of solar radiation, precipitation, humidity, air temperature and wind speed and the characteristics of the hydrological regime that result from these factors. Soils are affected by human activities, such as industrial, municipal and agriculture, that often result in soil degradation and loss or reduction in soil functions. In order to prevent soil degradation and to rehabilitate the potential of degraded soils, reliable soil data are the most important prerequisite for the design of appropriate land-use systems and soil management practices as well as for a better understanding of the environment. This is the main objective of soil science.

The objectives of this study are to familiarize students with methods and techniques of identification, analysis and evaluation of soils. Therefore an excursion has been offered to the students of the TIF MSc Program from 29 to 31 of May 2007 to practice the soil analysis process and to evaluate the consequences of different soil forming factors on soil development and vegetation directly in the field.