Soil In The Environment: Crucible Of Terrestrial Life

Soil In The Environment: Crucible Of Terrestrial Life

Product Description Soil in the Environment is key for every course in soil science, earth science, and environmental disciplines. This textbook engages students to critically look at soil as the central link in the function and creation of the terrestrial environment. For the first time, Dr. Hillel brilliantly discusses soils as a natural body that is engaged in dynamic interaction with the atmosphere above and the strata below that influences the planets climate and hydrological cycle, and serves as the primary habitat for a versatile community of living organisms. The book offers a larger perspective of soils impact on the environment by organizing chapters among three main processes: Physical, Chemical, and Biology. It is organized in a student-friendly format with examples, discussion boxes, and key definitions in every chapter. The book provides students of geology, physical science, and environmental studies with fundamental information and tools for meeting the natural resource challenges of the 21st century, while providing students of soil science and ecology with the understanding of physical and biological interactions necessary for sustainability. Review What a great textbook for students of the environmental sciences and a reference book for scientists seeking cutting-edge practical applications of theories. The author produced a very well written and organized book with historical and modern perspectives, matched with excellent graphics. WOW! - Dr. Leticia S. Sonon, Soil, Plant, and Water Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, USA As current university soil courses more and more blend agriculture and environmental issues this text will become a standard. The topics provide insightful coverage of soil in sustaining two basic human needs, a quality food supply and a livable environment, both needs on which future global dependency will rise, not diminish. This text is the right resource for the right time, its perfect for the new type of introductory soil course appearing on college campuses. - Steve Thien, Kansas State University, USA Soil in the Environment is an excellent introductory text addressing the importance of soils in ecosystems and the environment. It would be an outstanding choice as the text for a university core science course introducing students to soil science. Core science courses are required for all non-science students at almost all major universities and colleges as part of a well-rounded university education. The textbook could also serve as a very good textbook for an introductory soil science course for ecologists, landscape architects, and other students who need a good exposure to the fundamentals of soil science for their future careers, but who might be overwhelmed by a comprehensive soil science text. Students taking soils related courses at community colleges could also find this textbook potentially useful. The textbook is written in Dr. Hillels easy to understand style and he has made liberal use of high quality figures and tables. The ample use of color figures and diagrams is partcularly striking. The author has also included blue boxed text areas throughout the book that illustrate real world practical examples of the material being discussed in that chapter. The examples included in these blue boxed areas are critically important in making the subject being discussed pertinent to students and help retain their interest when reading. There is also a well conceived and thoughtful glossary included at the end of the textbook. - Dr. Robert L. Hill, Professor of Soil Physics, Soil & Water Management, Dep. of Environmental Science & Technology, University of Maryland College Park, USA I find this book full of fascination and passion for soil knowledge. Dr. Hillel vividly depicts the importance of soil and why we should care about it while he walks us through both a general and broad understanding of soil science. I consider it the perfect tool