What is the focus of the study of pedology?

The study of pedology is centered around the properties and classification of soils. This discipline examines how soils are formed, their composition, how they are categorized based on their characteristics, and the various processes that affect soil quality. Understanding soil properties is essential for many applications, including agriculture, land use planning, and environmental management, as it helps in determining how soil impacts plant growth and water retention.

While the other options touch upon related concepts, they do not define pedology. For instance, the classification of plant species pertains more to botany, water quality analysis relates to hydrology and environmental science, and the interaction between soil and vegetation is more aligned with ecology rather than the specific study of soil characteristics themselves. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the core focus of pedology as a branch of soil science.