consequently, man was not forced to build up perceptual ideas about how natureworks. The history of Hono sapiens followed the evolutionary pattern: self-oontrolis not desirable in the field of reproduction since it oould beoome an obstaclewhenever ecological niches turn up which invite oolonization. So Hbno sapiens lefthis ecosysternal environment some 10,000 years ago without proper security measuresagainst his rapidly developing ability to clear his path of obstacles, kill pestand nutrition oompetitors, and beoome a paragon of exp::>nential growth. '!be onlybuilt-in measure is his rising oonsciousness .In order to direct man's "dualistic vitality" not into doubling steps ofreproduction but into aChieving new forms of integration with the ecosystemalenvironment, pressure of selection confronts him with population densities and thedegenerating effect of the industrial system for the ecosystem. At this pointGeneral Systems Research could show that this integration, i.e., alleviation ofproblems, ,will lead us back to the soil. In the future, there will be not onefield of research, be it the Sciences or the Arts, which could afford to excludethe soil from its referential system. It woulld, otherwise, degenerate intonothing nore than an auxiliary science.

Soil as a regional component carries the potential for regulation and improvement.Therefore it is so important. Global phenomena, e.g., world climate, representdangers, but their specific interactions with each region show a spectrum ofregional phenomena, from destruction to beneficial effects. Basically, the thinlayer of soil represents a lebvel for exchange and buffering which is much noreimportant for the ecological balance than is acknowledged yet. Therefore arealistic assessment for soil potential and soil value for the ecosystem as well asthe global phenomena, e.g., world climate, will be necessary. Soil was thelifegiving element for the blooming human population, but the ignorance of man asto its efficiency to preserve existence on the globe has caused a vacuum whichshould now be filled quickly by Systems Sciences.

Life developed in the ocean nore than three billion years ago. ,Water was notscarce, nutrients were available in solution just as in hydroponics. Terrestrialbiotopes had to be conquered step by step some hundred million years ago. '!becarbon forests were situated in swamps. In places where humidity remainedconstant, vegetation pushed on into terrestrial regions, but nowhere did it coverlarge expanses. Terrestrial land then mainly consisted of rock and stone rubblewhich was not able to hold humidity for longer periods: organic material as wellas links for building up longevity-soils were not yet to be found.

The mineral masses of the terrestrial biotopes represented a challenge for theexponential growth of microorganisms, plants and animals. The step-by-stepcolonization was successful and reached its height twenty million years ago whengrass was covering large continental expanses. Colonization of terrestrialbiotopes and the build-up of soils was the existential challenge of the past threehundred million years. Fbr our century the nost important challenge is theacknowledgement that soil is the basis for our present and future existence and afactor for climate phenomena which are dangerously speeding up.

x x x

My personal knowledge as to the problematique of soil has benefited greatly fromthe works of high ranking scientists in the USSR, the German Republic, Hungary andthe USA. These scientists, as well as many others, have supplied the groundworkfor further research and action which has to be accomplished before the turn of themillenium! - a cooperative comprehension instead of knowledge-accumulation byelites. The latter, part of our ecological fiasco, could be afforded only on thebasis of ecosystems in full swing. OUr time is one of rapidly degeneratingecosystems. As far as the eminently important soil problematique is concerned, notonly experts are needed, whose achievements and limits are evident. Furtherapproach into questions of soil will preferably be done by those who are not only

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