Mathematical Simulation of Soil-Plant Relationships and Soil Genesis1

Mathematical simulation is a technique drawn from the engineering disciplines which shows promise in dealing with some problems in soil-plant relationships and soil genesis. Its potential usefulness is derived from the fact that it offers the possibility of making predictions about soil-plant systems in situations which make it unrealistic to obtain data by direct measurement. The predictions are based on simulation of system processes rather than on statistical extrapolation. In this paper three examples are presented in which fairly realistic simulations of the effects of radioactive fallout and fertilization in soil-plant systems have been made. Finally, a proposal is made for an initial approach to the simulation of some aspects of soil formation. If adequate simulation models can be devised for soil formation or system perturbations, it opens the possibility for computer “gaming” exercises. Such exercises may make it possible to examine the effects of independent variables, such as climate and vegetation, on soil genesis in an experimental setting or to optimize management strategies in the use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture.