Soils Principles, Properties and Management [Paperback]

Aimed at taking the mystery out of soil science, Soils: Principles, Properties and Management is a text for undergraduate/graduate students who study soil as a natural resource. Written in a reader-friendly style, with a host of examples, figures and tables, the book leads the reader from the basics of soil science through to complex situations, covering such topics as:

• the origin, development and classification of soil
• physical, chemical and biological properties of soil
• water and nutrient management
• management of problem soils, wetland soils and forest soils
• soil degradation

Further, the ecological and agrological functions of soil are emphasized in the context of food security, biodiversity and climate change. The interactions between the environment and soil management are highlighted. Soil is viewed as an ecosystem itself and as a part of larger terrestrial ecosystems.

This book covers the development and classification of soil; physical, chemical and biological properties of soil; water and nutrient management; problem soils; wetland and forest soils; soil degradation and more. Includes examples, figures and tables.Concepts of Soil. - Soil as a Part of the Lithosphere. - Factors and Processes of Soil Formation. - Soil Classification. - Physical Properties of Soil. - Soil Water, Irrigation and Drainage. - Soil Organic Matter. - Chemical Properties of Soil. - Biological Properties of Soils. - Plant Nutrients and Soil Fertility Management. - Problem Soils and Their Management. - Soil Resources and Soil Degradation. - Wetland Soils. - Forest Soils. - Climate Change and Soil. -Index.

From the reviews:

This book is an introductory course resource for soil science curricula. & This work is unique in that more emphasis is placed on soil management than il“K