Essential soil science : a clear and concise introduction to soil science / M.R. Ashman and G. Puri.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This textbook is aimed at the majority of students, who need to quickly acquire a concise overview of soil science. Many current soil science textbooks still cater for a traditional student market where students embark on three years study in a narrow discipline. The growth in modular degree schemes has meant that soil science is now often taught as self-standing unit as part of broad based degree program. Students pursuing this type of course are increasingly reluctant to purchase expensive textbooks that are too detailed and often assume a scientific background. For those opting to specialise in soil science there are a variety of good textbooks to choose from. This short informative guide, will be particularly useful for students who do not possess a traditional scientific background, such as those studying geography, environment science, ecology and agriculture.

Only textbook to cater for introductory courses in soil science.
Provides an affordable concise overview of soil science.
Learning exercises and chapter summaries enhance usability.
Annotated suggestions for further reading.
Based on proven and successful modular course structure.
Emphasis on readability and interactive learning.
No scientific background assumed.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Preface (p. vii)
• List of Abbreviations (p. viii)
• 1 Rocks to Soil (p. 1)
• 1 Soil formation--what are the initial inputs? (p. 2)
• 2 How are these inputs transformed into new compounds? (p. 11)
• 3 How is material moved and then finally lost from the soil? (p. 14)
• 4 How can we explain soil formation? (p. 19)
• 2 Particles, Structures and Water (p. 26)
• 1 What are the main soil particles? (p. 27)
• 2 What is meant by the term 'soil structure'? (p. 31)
• 3 How does water act in the soil? (p. 38)
• 4 Why are the physical characteristics of the soil so important? (p. 41)
• 3 Soil Surfaces, Acidity and Nutrients (p. 46)
• 1 How are chemicals stored and released from soil? (p. 47)
• 2 What determines the availability of acids and nutrients? (p. 57)
• 4 Soil Microbes and Nutrient Cycling (p. 67)
• 1 What types of organism are found in the soil? (p. 68)
• 2 How do soil microbes recycle nutrients? (p. 77)
• 5 Soil Survey, Classification and Evaluation (p. 90)
• 1 How do we carry out a soil survey? (p. 91)
• 2 How do we conduct a soil survey that measures change? (p. 95)
• 3 How do we conduct a soil survey that describes the soil in general terms? (p. 98)
• 4 How do we produce a map from soil descriptions made in the field? (p. 106)
• 6 Soils and Agriculture (p. 114)
• 1 How can we optimize the physical condition of the soil for plant growth? (p. 115)
• 2 How can we optimize the chemical condition of the soil for plant growth? (p. 133)
• 3 How can we optimize the biological condition of the soil for plant growth? (p. 146)
• 7 Soil Contamination and Erosion (p. 151)
• 1 What do we mean when we say a soil is either contaminated or polluted? (p. 152)
• 2 What is soil erosion? (p. 177)
• 3 How can we measure the 'quality' of the soil? (p. 182)
• Further Reading (p. 186)
• Index (p. 191)

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Mark Ashman is the author of Essential Soil Science: A Clear and Concise Introduction to Soil Science, published by Wiley.

Geeta Puri is the author of Essential Soil Science: A Clear and Concise Introduction to Soil Science, published by Wiley.