Nature and Properties of Soils, The, Global Edition (15^th Ed.)

Developed for Introduction to Soils or Soil Science courses, The Nature and Properties of Soils, 15th Edition, can be used in courses such as Soil Fertility, Land Resources, Earth Science and Soil Geography.

The Nature and Properties of Soils is designed to engage today?s students with the latest in the world of soils. This hallmark text introduces students to the exciting world of soils through clear writing, strong pedagogy, and an ecological approach that effectively explains the fundamentals of soil science. Worked calculations, vignettes, and current real-world applications prepare readers to understand concepts, solve problems, and think critically. Written for both majors and non-majors, this text highlights the many interactions between the soil and other components of forest, range, agricultural, wetland and constructed ecosystems.

Now in full-colour, the 15th Edition includes hundreds of compelling photos, figures, and diagrams to bring the exciting world of soils to life. Extensively revised, new and updated content appears in every chapter. Examples include: coverage of the pedosphere concept; new insights into humus and soil carbon accumulation; subaqueous soils, soil effects on human health; principles and practice of organic farming; urban and human engineered soils; new understandings of the nitrogen cycle; water-saving irrigation techniques; hydraulic redistribution, soil food-web ecology; disease suppressive soils; soil microbial genomics; soil interactions with global climate change; digital soil maps; and many others.

• 1 The Soils Around Us
• 2 Formation of Soils from Parent Materials
• 3 Soil Classification
• 4 Soil Architecture and Physical Properties
• 5 Soil Water: Characteristics and Behavior
• 6 Soil and the Hydrologic Cycle
• 7 Soil Aeration and Temperature
• 8 The Colloidal Fraction: Seat of Soil Chemical and Physical Activity
• 9 Soil Acidity
• 10 Soils of Dry Regions: Alkalinity, Salinity, and Sodicity
• 11 Organisms and Ecology of the Soil
• 12 Soil Organic Matter
• 13 Nitrogen and Sulfur Economy of Soils
• 14 Soil Phosphorus and Potassium
• 15 Calcium, Magnesium, Silicon, and Trace Elements
• 16 Practical Nutrient Management
• 17 Soil Erosion and Its Control
• 18 Soils and Chemical Pollution
• 19 Geographic Soils Information
• 20 Prospects for Soil Health in the Anthropocene
• Appendix A World Reference Base, Canadian, and Australian Soil Classification Systems
• Appendix B SI Units, Conversion Factors, Periodic Table of the Elements, and Plant Names
• Glossary of Soil Science Terms
• Index

The Nature and Properties of Soils presents a comprehensive approach to soils with a focus on six major ecological roles of soil including growth of plants, climate change, recycling function, biodiversity, water, and soil properties and behavior.
Bring the subject to life and facilitate learning

• NEW! Engaging full-color art program support today’s visual learner
• Vibrant full-color photographs (over 500) illustrate concepts and make the text come alive.
• Hundreds of new figures have been added or revised in this edition, highlighting applications and field situations relevant to many different areas of study.
• Line drawings, graphs, and diagrams use consistent color coding throughout the text to make them more readily and intuitively understood.
• High-quality color plates illustrate nutrient deficiencies, soil landscapes, and soil management practices.
• Make reading, studying, and content mastery easier.
  • NEW: New applications boxes and case study vignettes bring important soils topics to life. Examples include “Subaqueous Soils—Underwater Pedogenesis,” “Practical Applications of Unsaturated Water Flow in Contrasting Layers,” “Soil Microbiology in the Molecular Age,” and "Where have All the Humics Gone?”
  • NEW: Calculations and practical numerical problems boxes help students explore and understand detailed calculations and practical numerical problems. Examples include “Calculating Lime Needs Based on pH Buffering,” “Leaching Requirement for Saline Soils,” "Toward a Global Soil Information System,” “Calculation of Nitrogen Mineralization,” and “Calculation of Percent Pore Space in Soils.”
  • UPDATED: End-of-chapter study questions (10-15 per chapter) help students review the topics and their interactions.
  • Chapter introductions illustrate the importan