Encyclopedia of Soils in the Environment (Second Edition)

The Encyclopedia of Soils in the Environment, Second Edition, Five Volume Set is an updated and expanded reference work that covers the entire field of soil science, bridging the gap between basic science and applications. It includes coverage of topics such as soil biology, chemistry, physics, and environment and management, and is designed to serve students and expert researchers. The book is organized around four core topics and is of interest to policy makers, government researchers, and the geographical and environmental community.

Format: Mixed media product
Length: 3380 pages
Publication date: 16 August 2023
Publisher: Elsevier Science Publishing Co Inc

About Encyclopedia of Soils in the Environment\n

The second edition of the Encyclopedia of Soils in the Environment, a comprehensive five-volume set, has been meticulously updated and expanded to address the pressing global challenges of our time, including population growth, food security, and climate change. Since the publication of the previous edition, there has been a significant advancement in our ability to conduct bioinformatics related to soil organisms and their vital functions. The advent of next-generation DNA sequencing techniques has revolutionized our understanding by enabling the identification of diverse microbial populations and their intricate functioning within the soil. Moreover, these advancements have paved the way for effective microbial management within the soil ecosystem.

Imaging techniques are revolutionizing our perceptions and expanding our knowledge of soil aggregation, encompassing both remote and proximal sensing of laboratory and field soils. These developments are occurring at a rapid pace, driven by new technologies and methodologies.

While soil physics has always been a core area of soil science, recent advancements have deepened our understanding of complex soil processes. This reference work encompasses the entirety of soil science, bridging the gap between fundamental research and practical applications. It is meticulously organized around four core topics: biology, chemistry, physics, and environment and management.

Recognizing the critical role of soil science in ensuring food production, water quality, flood control, greenhouse gas management, antibiotic and drug production, and overall environmental sustainability, world governments are increasingly prioritizing its research and implementation. As such, this encyclopedia is of immense interest to academics, policy makers, government researchers, and the geographical and environmental community, as it provides essential information on soil that supports their core work.

Features

Inclusive: The chapters are authored by distinguished experts in various scientific domains, offering a well-rounded portrayal of the subject. It connects fundamental soil science with environmental aspects, emphasising the issues spanning from land utilisation to shifts in climate conditions.

Current: This edition brings forth enhancements and extensions over the prior version. It encompasses emerging research realms like soil microbiology and novel investigative methodologies.

Cross-disciplinary: Catering to a broad readership, including scholars and practitioners in fields ranging from core earth sciences to ecology, agriculture, environmental health, and environmental management.

Readership

This book is ideal for individuals engaged in earth, environmental, and biological sciences, including students and researchers seeking essential insights in areas such as soil science, geology, agriculture, conservation, environmental health, and the dynamics of climate change.

Table of contents

Soil Biology – Organic matter, Macro- & meso-organisms, Microorganisms & biological processes, Microbial ecology & management, Biogeochemical cycles, Biology of soil amendments & contaminant degradation.

Soil Chemistry – major and minor elements, cation exchange, surface processes related to minerals and organic matter, spectroscopy, microscopy, fractionation, radioactive tracers, forms and composition of carbon, nanoparticles.

Soil Physics – Water retention, flow & transport processes, Hydrology & water balance, Soil–plant interactions, Soil mechanics & structure, Thermal properties & processes, & characterization & sensing techniques.

Soil and Environmental management – Greenhouse gases, monitoring, human health, ecosystem functions, forestry, agriculture, tillage, mulches, irrigation, waste disposal, soil quality, degradation, pollution, waste disposal.

Pedology – Soil classification, zonal and azonal soils, minerals and oxides, clays, micromorphology, factors of soil formation, climate.

Pedometrics – Spatial variation, digital soil mapping, statistics, uncertainty and geostatistics, pedotransfer functions, proximal and remote sensing, modelling, sample handling.

About the authors

Michael Goss is a soil scientist with a wealth of experience spanning more than two decades in the United Kingdom. His journey took him through notable institutions including Letcombe Laboratory, Rothamsted Research, and the James Hutton Research Institute. Throughout his tenure, he fostered collaborative relationships with esteemed colleagues from France, Germany, Portugal, and Australia. In 1990, he embarked on a new chapter by joining the University of Guelph in Canada, assuming the role of Research Chair in Land Stewardship. Presently, he holds the esteemed title of Professor Emeritus within the School of Environmental Sciences. Michael's eminence in the field is evidenced by his recognition as an Honorary Member and Fellow of the esteemed British Society of Soil Science. Notably, he served as the Editor-in-Chief of 'Soil Use and Management,' playing an integral role in the publication for a decade until 2019. His academic prowess is exemplified by his prolific portfolio of over 175 scholarly papers, his contributions to two edited volumes, and his co-authorship of a university-level textbook exploring water's role in plant production, spanning two editions. Additionally, his insights extend to a comprehensive book dedicated to the management of arbuscular mycorrhizas.

Margaret Oliver's career revolves around her expertise in Spatial Analysis, primarily showcased during her tenure as a Reader in Spatial Analysis at the University of Reading. Following her retirement, she was honoured with a visiting professorship, a testament to her enduring influence. Margaret's passion for education persisted, as she continued to impart knowledge through university courses at Reading and geostatistics workshops at various international institutions. A noteworthy milestone in her journey was assuming the role of Co-editor-in-Chief for Precision Agriculture in 2005, a post she held for a commendable six years. Her editorial prowess extended to her role as an Associate Editor for Mathematical Geosciences. A pivotal moment came when she transitioned to the position of Deputy Editor for the European Journal of Soil Science in 2011, where she contributed her expertise for four years before ascending to the role of Editor-in-Chief in 2015. Mirroring Michael's distinction, Margaret is recognized as an Honorary Member of the esteemed British Society of Soil Science, a testament to her significant contributions. Her scholarly impact is resoundingly evident through her authorship of over 100 academic papers and her participation in several book projects. Notably, she co-authored three authoritative textbooks and lent her expertise to editing two comprehensive volumes. Margaret's research focus revolves around the application of numerical and geostatistical methodologies to soil and other datasets, with precision agriculture being a particular interest. Notably, her influence extends to the recognition of an award in her name, celebrating emerging pedometricians in the field.

Dimension: 276 x 215 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780128229743
Edition number: 2 ed