Soils Basic Concepts and Future Challenges [Paperback]

A synthesis of soils for researchers and students of soil science, geography and landscape ecology.This book was born as a tribute to Fiorenzo C. Ugolini, and is a synthesis of the knowledge of soils, their genesis, functions and management. Ideal for researchers and students of soil science, soil conservation, geography and landscape ecology, it includes contributions from leading soil scientists.This book was born as a tribute to Fiorenzo C. Ugolini, and is a synthesis of the knowledge of soils, their genesis, functions and management. Ideal for researchers and students of soil science, soil conservation, geography and landscape ecology, it includes contributions from leading soil scientists.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.1. Concepts of soils Richard W. Arnold; 2. Pedogenic processes and pathways of horizon differentiation Stanley W. Buol; 3. Soil phases: the inorganic solid phase G. Jock Churchman; 4. Soil phases: the organic solid phase Claire Chenu; 5. Soil phases: the liquid phase Randy A. Dahlgren; 6. Soil phases: the gaseous phase Andrey V. Smagin; 7. Soil phases: the living phase Oliver Dilly, Eva-Maria Pfl£O