Soils represent the result of a complex set of interacting processes and are an integral component of the environment. Yet soils remain the most undervalued and misused of the Earth's resources. This work examines the fundamental importance of soils. Combining practical analysis and interpretation with a theoretical approach, the authors discuss the properties of soils, debate the environmental factors that influence their development, and address their resulting spatial characteristics on a global scale. Examining the impact of environmental controls on soil formation this book also analyzes the role of soils as components of natural environmental systems, and soil-human interactions. A glossary of terms aids the less scientific reader. Adopting macro and micro-scale, pure and applied, spatial and temporal, and natural and human related approaches, this book offers an understanding of soils within an environmental context. As environmental problems, such as pollution, acidification, erosion and climatic change become matters of greater concern, this work offers an understanding for readers across a spectrum of environmentally-related subjects.
Author(s): Steve Ellis, Antony Mellor
Year: 1995
Language: English
Pages: 392
BOOK COVER......Page 1
HALF-TITLE......Page 2
TITLE......Page 4
COPYRIGHT......Page 5
CONTENTS......Page 6
PLATES......Page 9
FIGURES......Page 10
TABLES......Page 15
PREFACE......Page 17
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......Page 19
UNITS OF MEASUREMENT......Page 21
ABBREVIATIONS......Page 23
1.1 INITIAL CONCEPTS......Page 25
1.2 APPROACHES TO SOIL-ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY......Page 29
1.3 AIMS AND SCOPE OF THIS BOOK......Page 30
2.1 INTRODUCTION......Page 33
2.2.1 Mineral material......Page 34
2.2.2 Organic components......Page 40
2.2.3 Water......Page 46
2.2.4 Air......Page 49
2.3.1 Mineral particles......Page 50
2.3.2 Aggregates......Page 53
2.3.3 Pore space......Page 59
2.3.4 Moisture......Page 61
2.3.5 Temperature......Page 64
2.3.6 Mechanics......Page 65
2.4.1 Elements and compounds......Page 67
2.4.2 Ion exchange......Page 69
2.4.3 Acidity and pH......Page 73
2.4.4 Aeration......Page 74
2.5 SUMMARY......Page 75
3.1 INTRODUCTION......Page 79
3.2.2 Transformations......Page 80
3.2.3 Transfers......Page 87
3.2.4 Losses......Page 92
3.3 SOIL PROFILES......Page 95
3.3.1 Horizon differentiation......Page 96
3.3.2 Pedogenic pathways......Page 104
3.3.3 Soil classification......Page 109
3.4 SUMMARY......Page 115
4.1 INTRODUCTION......Page 117
4.2.1 Climate......Page 119
4.2.2 Biota......Page 121
4.2.3 Parent material......Page 126
4.2.4 Relief......Page 128
4.2.5 Time......Page 134
4.3.1 High latitudes......Page 138
4.3.2 Mid-latitudes......Page 142
4.3.3 Low latitudes......Page 146
4.3.4 Mountain regions......Page 149
4.4 SUMMARY......Page 150
5.1 INTRODUCTION......Page 156
5.2.1 Natural environmental change......Page 158
5.2.2 Human activity......Page 163
5.3.1 Pedological characteristics......Page 168
5.3.2 Biological material......Page 172
5.4 DATING......Page 173
5.4.1 Age estimation......Page 174
5.4.2 Relative dating and age correlation......Page 178
5.5 SUMMARY......Page 182
6.2 THE HYDROSPHERE......Page 185
6.2.1 Forces controlling water movement......Page 186
6.2.2 Infiltration, percolation and evaporation......Page 188
6.2.3 Water storage and flow......Page 190
6.3.1 Solar radiation and temperature......Page 193
6.3.2 Atmospheric moisture......Page 201
6.3.3 Air movement......Page 203
6.4.1 Weathering......Page 205
6.4.2 Sediment and solute transport......Page 207
6.4.3 Mass movement......Page 209
6.5 THE BIOSPHERE......Page 213
6.5.1 Nutrients......Page 214
6.5.2 Moisture and aeration......Page 216
6.5.3 Additional factors......Page 218
6.6 SUMMARY......Page 222
7.1 INTRODUCTION......Page 224
7.2 INFLUENCE OF SOILS ON LAND USE......Page 226
7.2.1 Soil physical factors......Page 227
7.2.2 Soil biochemical factors......Page 234
7.2.3 Soil type......Page 237
Alfisols......Page 238
Spodosols......Page 239
Ultisols......Page 240
Vertisols......Page 241
Andisols......Page 242
7.2.4 Additional factors......Page 243
7.3.1 Arable cultivation......Page 247
7.3.2 Pastoral activities......Page 252
7.3.3 Forestry......Page 254
7.4.1 Urban and industrial activities......Page 258
7.4.2 Recreation and leisure......Page 259
7.5 SUMMARY......Page 261
8.1 INTRODUCTION......Page 263
8.2.1 Erosion......Page 266
8.2.2 Compaction......Page 275
8.2.3 Water excess and deficit......Page 281
8.3.1 Acidification......Page 286
8.3.2 Salinisation and sodification......Page 295
8.3.3 Agrochemical pollution......Page 302
8.3.4 Urban and industrial pollution......Page 311
8.4 SUMMARY......Page 318
9.2.1 Soil survey......Page 322
9.3.1 Agricultural applications......Page 329
9.3.2 Non-agricultural applications......Page 332
9.4 SUMMARY......Page 334
10.1 THE PRESENT......Page 336
10.2 THE FUTURE......Page 338
REFERENCES......Page 350
INDEX......Page 378
