This book was born as an international tribute to Fiorenzo C. Ugolini, an outstanding soil scientist, now retired from university teaching and research. It is a synthesis of the knowledge of soils, their genesis, functions and management, and includes contributions from leading soil scientists. It provides the basic concepts as well as data and practical examples from across the discipline. The book also discusses the increasingly important role of soils in enabling the preservation of life and contains a rare attempt to cross-harmonize the Soil Groups of the World Reference Base of Soil Resources with the Orders of the Soil Taxonomy. It also considers the possible existence of extraterrestrial soils based on the findings from the last space missions. This volume will be a valuable resource for researchers and students of soil science, soil conservation, geography and landscape ecology.

A synthesis of soils for researchers and students of soil science, geography and landscape ecology.

Publisher Description

A logical, integrated and comprehensive coverage of both introductory and advanced topics in soil mechanics in an easy-to-understand style. Emphasis is placed on presenting fundamental behaviour before more advanced topics are introduced. The use of S.I. units throughout, and frequent references to current international codes of practice and refereed research papers, make the contents universally applicable. Written with the university student in mind and packed full of pedagogical features, this book provides an integrated and comprehensive coverage of both introductory and advanced topics in soil mechanics. It includes: worked examples to elucidate the technical content and facilitate self-learning a convenient structure (the book is divided into sections), enabling it to be used throughout second, third and fourth year undergraduate courses universally applicable contents through the use of SI units throughout, frequent references to current international codes of practice and refereed research papers new and advanced topics that extend beyond those in standard undergraduate courses. The perfect textbook for a range of courses on soils mechanics and also a very valuable resource for practising professional engineers.

Soils of South Africa is the first book in seventy years that provides a comprehensive account of South African soils. The book arranges more than seventy soil forms into fourteen groups and then provides, for each group: • maps showing their distribution and abundance throughout South Africa • descriptions of morphological, chemical and physical properties • a detailed account of classification and its correlation with international systems • a discussion of soil genesis which includes a review of relevant research papers • appraisal of soil quality from a land use perspective as well as for its ecological significance • illustrative examples of soil profiles with analytical data and accompanying interpretations. There is also a fascinating account of the special relationship that exists between South African animals and soil environments. Soils of South Africa should interest students and researchers in the earth, environmental and biological sciences, as well as environmental practitioners, farmers, foresters and civil engineers.

The history of science discipline is contributing valuable knowledge of the culture of soil understanding, of the conditions in society that fostered the ideas, and of why they developed in certain ways. This book is about the progressive "footprints made by scientists in the soil. It contains chapters chosen from important topics in the development of soil science, and tells the story of the people and the exciting ideas that contributed to our present understanding of soils. Initiated by discussions within the Soil Science Society of America and the International Union of Soil Sciences, this book uniquely illustrates the significance of soils to our society. It is planned for soils students, for various scientific disciplines, and for members of the public who show an increasing interest in soil. This book allows us to answer the questions: "How do we know what we know about soils? and "How did one step or idea lead to the next one?The chapters are written by an international group of authors, each with special interests, bound together by the central theme of soils and how we came to our present understanding of soils. Each concentrate on soil knowledge in the western world and draw primarily on written accounts available in English and European languages. Academics, graduate students, researchers and practitioners will gain new insights from these studies of how ideas in soil science and understanding of uses of soils developed.* Discusses tracing soils knowledge accumulated from Roman times, first by soil users and after 1800s by scientists* Offers ideas about how soils knowledge was influenced by the social context and by human needs* Combines the history of ideas with scientific knowledge of soils* Written by chapter authors who combine subject matter expertise with knowledge of practical soil uses, and provide numerous references for further study of the relevant literature

Soils: Genesis and Geomorphology is a comprehensive and accessible textbook on all aspects of soils. The book's introductory chapters on soil morphology, physics, mineralogy and organisms prepare the reader for the more advanced and thorough treatment that follows. Theory and processes of soil genesis and geomorphology form the backbone of the book, rather than the emphasis on soil classification that permeates other less imaginative soils textbooks. This refreshingly readable text takes a truly global perspective, with many examples from around the world sprinkled throughout. Replete with hundreds of high quality figures and a large glossary, this book will be invaluable for anyone studying soils, landforms and landscape change. Soils: Genesis and Geomorphology is an ideal textbook for mid- to upper-level undergraduate and graduate level courses in soils, pedology and geomorphology. It will also be an invaluable reference text for researchers.