Our dependence on soil, and our curiosity about it, is leading to the investigation of changes within soil processes. Furthermore, the diversity and dynamics of soil are enabling new discoveries and insights, which help us to understand the variations in soil processes. Consequently, this permits us to take the necessary measures for soil protection, thus promoting soil health. This book aims to provide an up-to-date account of the current state of knowledge in recent practices and assessments in soil science. Moreover, it presents a comprehensive evaluation of the effect of residue/waste application on soil properties and, further, on the mechanism of plant adaptation and plant growth. Interesting examples of simulation using various models dealing with carbon sequestration, ecosystem respiration, and soil landscape, etc. are demonstrated. The book also includes chapters on the analysis of areal data and geostatistics using different assessment methods. More recent developments in analytical techniques used to obtain answers to the various physical mechanisms, chemical, and biological processes in soil are also present.

Our dependence on soil, and our interest about it, is prominent to the investigation of changes within soil processes. The diversity and dynamics of soil are facilitating new discoveries and insights, which help us to understand the deviations in soil processes. Consequently, this allows us to take the necessary measures for soil protection, thus promoting soil health. Soil is a natural body comprised of solids (minerals and organic matter), liquid, and gases that occurs on the land surface, occupies space, and is characterized by one or both of the following: horizons, or layers, that are distinguishable from the initial material as a result of additions, losses, transfers, and transformations of energy and matter or the ability to support rooted plants in a natural environment. Soil science is the study of soil as a natural resource on the surface of the Earth including soil formation, classification and mapping; physical, chemical, biological, and fertility properties of soils; and these properties in relation to the use and management of soils. The study of man's impact on the soil has been around for a long time. From the basic concepts of agriculture to crop rotation to modern lab-mixed soils and fertilizers, all these ideas come from studying the soil and how humans use it. Even so, it wasn't until the 20th century that the field of soil science became a recognized scientific discipline. While many of the usages of soil science are well known, even to a layperson, some are less obvious. These fields work heavily with ground contamination remediation from landfills, toxic dumping and ecological accidents. The book Principles, Application and Assessment in Soil Science covers an up-to-date account of the current state of knowledge in recent practices and assessments in soil science. Furthermore, it presents an inclusive evaluation of the effect of residue/waste application on soil properties and, additional, on the mechanism of plant adaptation and plant growth.

Degradation of soils continues at a pace that will eventually create a local, regional, or even global crisis when diminished soil resources collide with increasing climate variation. It's not too late to restore our soils to a more productive state by rediscovering the value of soil management, building on our well-established and ever-expanding scientific understanding of soils. Soil management concepts have been in place since the cultivation of crops, but we need to rediscover the principles that are linked together in effective soil management. This book is unique because of its treatment of soil management based on principles—the physical, chemical, and biological processes and how together they form the foundation for soil management processes that range from tillage to nutrient management. Whether new to soil science or needing a concise reference, readers will benefit from this book's ability to integrate the science of soils with management issues and long-term conservation efforts.

A thorough presentation of analytical methods for characterizing soil chemical properties and processes, Methods, Part 3 includes chapters on Fourier transform infrared, Raman, electron spin resonance, x-ray photoelectron, and x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopies, and more.

Introductory Chapter: Earthworms - The Ecological Engineers of Soil.