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The soils are fundamental to our existence, delivering water and nutrients to plants, that feed us. But they are in many ways in danger and their conservation is therefore a most important focus for science, governments and society as a whole. A team of world recognised researchers have prepared this first English edition based on the 16th European edition. • The precursors and the processes of soil development • The physical, biological and chemical properties of soils • Nutrients and Pollutants • The various soil classifications with the main focus on the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) • The most important soils and soil landscapes of the world • Soil Evaluation Techniques • Basic Principles of Soil Conservation Whoever works with soils needs this book.

This volume includes papers from a workshop at the University of Kiel, Germany, focused on the "Importance of Physical Factors in Arid Ecosystems Research," along with ongoing projects discussed at the meeting that have since developed. The contributions are organized into four main categories: soils, soil organisms, vegetation, and ecology. Many studies are based on research conducted in the Negev desert of Israel at AERC experimental stations—Avdat, Nizzana, and Sede Boker—while others are from the eastern Sahara. Blume et al. explore soil formation and ecology of sand dunes, while Alaily and Pohlmann analyze arid soilscape structures using Landsat data. Amit and Harrison examine biogenic influences on calcic soil formation, and Singer discusses mineralogical similarities and differences in hot and cold deserts. The role of animals in desert ecosystems is highlighted by Steinberger and Shachak et al., while Yechieli et al. focus on microbial contributions. Holzapfel et al. assess site conditions affecting desert vegetation, and El-Kady et al. study land use impacts. Pollination of desert plants is explored by Küchmeister et al. and Wolf and Shmida, with Schreiber et al. synthesizing years of interdisciplinary desert ecology research. This volume aims to engage those in geo-ecology.