
As we move into the 21st century, soil science is a field in search of an academic identity. Where in the academic structure do soil scientists belong? As a discipline, should soils be placed in a department of agronomy, geology, geography, some other related field, or in a department of its own? A survey of geology, geography, environmental science, and traditional agricultural programs shows that each of these fields includes soils specialists on their faculties and soils classes in their curricula. Soils faculty and classes exist at roughly equal rates in geology and geography programs and at about twice the geology/geography rate in environmental science programs. Over all, there are still more soils specialists employed by and soils classes taught in traditional agricultural programs than in the other three programs investigated. However, there are more total geology, geography, and environmental science programs in the United States teaching soils in their curricula than there are total soil science programs.
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 26 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
