
CHAPTER 3
Nonlinear Dynamics, Divergent
Evolution, and Pedodiversity
Jonathan D. Phillips
1. Introduction
Diversity and variability of soils may arise from extrinsic or intrinsic factors.
Extrinsic factors are external to the soil itself, and represent environmental
controls such as the soil-forming factors of climate, biota, topography,
parent material and external disturbances, such as human agency,
hydrometeorological events, volcanic eruptions, etc. Intrinsic factors are
internal to the soil, and include pedogenetic processes and interactions
among soil components. The interaction of intrinsic and extrinsic factors
may also infl uence pedodiversity ...