Major Soil Groups of the World Ecology, Genesis, Properties and Classification [Hardcover]

This profusely illustrated book gives an exhaustive account of the principal types of soils of our planet. The progressive descent of weathering fronts model, recognized and used by eminent international scientists is the guiding principle of choice to link the observations and to give the reader a synthetic and coherent view of the differentiation of soils. In each case, the introductory reminders summarize the physicochemical and mineralogical principles necessary for understanding the text. The nomenclatures rely systematically and simultaneously on the two most commonly used classifications: Soil Taxonomyand World Reference Base. This reference manual is aimed at students of the undergraduate and graduate courses, but is also intended for workers and scientists in this subject area (geologists, pedologists, agronomists, land-use planners, foresters, etc.) as well as for all those concerned with or interested in protection of the environment.

Introduction
Definitions, Concepts and Tools
Basic Concepts
Methods for Study of Pedogenesis
Dating and Tracing
Factors of Pedogenesis
Climate
Rocks
Time and Age of Soils
Geomorphology and Surface Formations
Vegetation and Humus
Soil Fauna and Microorganisms
Man
Progressive Descent of Weathering Fronts, other Pedogenetic Mechanisms and Spatial Organization of Soils
Vertical Differentiation of Soils
Mechanisms of Evolution of Soils
Mineralogical Evolution of Clays
Attempt at Modelling
Organization of Soils at all Scales
Classifications: International WRB and U.S. Soil Taxonomy
Historical Review
World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB)
The American Classification
Ferralsols and other Soils of the Hot Regions
Generalities
Typical Profile and Differentiation