Soils long have been taken for granted being so commonplace and lacking often striking features. However, soil is one of the most complex media on Earth, vital for the biogeosphere and human civilization. With increased usage of soil for world food production, building materials, waste repositories, etc awareness has grown for the need of better global understanding of soil and its processes.
The Encyclopedia of Soil Science provides a comprehensive, alphabetical treatment of basic soil science in a single volume. It constitutes a wide ranging and authorative collection of about 160 academic articles covering the salient aspects of soil physics, chemistry, biology, fertility, technology, genesis, morphology, classification and geomorphology.
The longer articles by leading authorities from around the world are being supplemented by ca 430 definitions of common terms in soil sciences. It should be emphasized though that the volume is not a dictionary but represents a compendium of knowledge.
Graduate students, scientists and professionals, from a wide variety of disciplines and others who deal with the nature, processes and use of soil will have access to essential information and be directed to pertinent specialized literature.
The Editor:
Ward Chesworth is Professor Emeritus of Geochemistry at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. He co-edited Weathering, Soils and Paleosols, and three volumes of the annual Hammond Lecture Series broadcast in part by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation: Malthus and the Third Millennium, Sustainable Development, and The Human Ecological Footprint. He co-wrote Perspectives on Canadian Geology. In 2003 he received the Halbouty Prize of the Geological Society of America, of which he is a Fellow.
Soil as the basis of civilization, is the most important resource of the solid earth that we use. It is the source of most of our food and fiber, much of our building materials, and the repository of most of our wastes. Over the last 10,000 years we have learned to manipulate it for our purposes to such a degree that our ecological footprint has notably modified about two thirds of the soils of the Earth. At the beginning of the 21st century, with the issue of the sustainability of human society, it has never been more important for there to be a global understanding of the soil and its processes amongst the educated public in general, and the scientist and technologist in particular.
The Encyclopedia of Soil Science brings together approximately 190 longer articles, together with some 350 definitions of common terms used in soil science. In effect, it is a combination of an encyclopedia and glossary of terms. Furthermore, the book emphasizes the study of soils as an integral part of the earth sciences, and it does this without ignoring the agricultural, environmental and technological aspects of the subject.
Individual soil types are keyed to the World Resource Base (WRB) Classification with concordance to soil taxonomy, in order to meet the needs of an international audience. Appropriately an international roster of authors, from North and South America, from Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia, has been assembled, and the soils and soil landscapes of all continents are considered.
Assembles more than 190 key articles by leading authorities from around the world and ca. 430 glossary terms to become the most complete single volume encyclopedia on soil science
Includes the following Classifications of Soils: FAO; Soil Taxonomy; World Reference Base
Employs an Earth-Science approach
Packed with full-color illustrations and offers excellent indices and cross references
Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras
Soil is the most important resource of the solid earth that humans use. It is the source of most of our food and fiber, much of our building materials, and the repository of most of our wastes. Over the last 10,000 years we have learned to manipulate it for our purposes to such a degree that our ecological footprint has notably modified about two thirds of the soils of the Earth. The Encyclopedia of Soil Science provides a comprehensive, alphabetical treatment of basic soil science in a single volume. It constitutes a wide ranging and authoritative collection of some 160 academic articles covering the salient aspects of soil physics, chemistry, biology, fertility, technology, genesis, morphology, classification and geomorphology. With increased usage of soil for world food production, building materials, and waste repositories, demand has grown for a better global understanding of soil and its processes. Longer articles by leading authorities from around the world are supplemented by some 430 definitions of common terms in soil sciences.
Ward Chesworth
KLTcatalog MRWCat2006 agriculture earth science environment geology soil
From the reviews:
"The encyclopedia contains about 190 academic articles … . All items are illustrated with many tables, graphs, figures and colour photographs. … a summary of the present knowledge in the field of soil science, authored by internationally well known scientists. It is a remarkable tool, not only for soil scientists, but also for agronomists, geologists and even archeologists dealing with soils. Especially for the already somewhat older soil scientists it is an excellent way for updating in an easy way their knowledge and references." (G. Stoops, PEDON Newsletter, Issue 19, February, 2008)
"A nice addition to the numerous encyclopedias that have come recently. … The topics overlap several other encyclopedias as well. There are many tables and figures, including a few color figures. The authors of the entries are international in scope, and well-respected soil scientists. … the audience to include scientists, engineers, technology experts, as well as environmental and land use planners. Most full entries are geared toward college or higher level, including students and scientists who are not soil scientists … ." (Sally Logsdon, Soil Science Society of America Journal, Vol. 72 (3), 2008)
"Encyclopedia of Soil Science is an updated version of R. W. Fairbridge and C. W. Finkl Jr.’s edited encyclopedia … . It contains both lengthy research articles and shorter glossary definitions … . This useful combination of research articles and definitions makes this title invaluable for users … . Libraries … will be interested in this volume edited by Chesworth. … highly useful resource for both students and researchers in major programs in agriculture, geology, and environmental science. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above." (J. K. Oleen, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (11), 2008)
"This book is well worth reading because it puts the content in wider context. … The book is well produced. Even with 900 pages it can be held in one hand, and can be used as a stand up reference book. The illustrations are excellent, and nearly all in colour. The diagrams, maps and statistical presentations are clear. … The market for this book will be for higher education and research, and for science based companies involved in agriculture."(John Goodier, Reference Reviews, Vol. 22 (6), 2008)