Abstract:Based on the Web of Science and CNKI(China National Knowledge Infrastructure)database, bibliometrics were used to quantitatively analyze the historical advances of soil science in the last 30 years. The newly developed information visualization technology——Cite Space and Thomson Data Analyzer(TDA)conducted the research focus and fronts of soil science during three periods(1986—1995, 1996—2005, 2006—2014) using 57495 and 350265 references in the domestic and international studies, respectively. Similarities and differences of soil science during different periods between domestic and international studies were compared according to the cluster analysis. At an earlier stage, international studies on soil science focused on agriculture soil studies with a priority on soil fertility. The studies then transfer to the ecological environmental investigations, with an emphasis on the soil key processes driven by the soil microbes. Meanwhile, the research of regional soil was the distinct characteristic of China's soil science. Most of these investigations focus on the increase of soil productivity, soil erosion and water conservation, soil contamination and remediation, which significantly demonstrated a continuously strengthened research progress and development trend of the intersection and the fusion among different subjects. The bibliometric analysis aims to provide an objective review of the soil science development process, promotes innovation and hence push for the development of soil science in China.