Essentials of soil science
Soil formation, functions, use and classification (World Reference Base, WRB)
This book serves as a concise yet comprehensive introduction to soil science, detailing soil development, characteristics, material composition, and functions in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. It highlights the essential roles of soil in providing goods and services to society, including food, clean water, and biodiversity maintenance. The text is richly illustrated with colored figures and tables to enhance understanding, particularly in the chapter on soil classification, which utilizes the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) and includes numerous images of typical soil profiles. Additional chapters cover soil protection, remediation, monitoring, and the history of soil sciences, concluding with a detailed alphabetical index for easy navigation of key terms. This resource is designed for anyone interested in soils and their significance, including teachers, practitioners, and students in agriculture, forestry, gardening, ecology, environmental engineering, and those beginning their studies in soil science. Classroom sets of 10 and 20 copies are available for order through bookstores or online.
