Soils long have been taken for granted being so commonplace and lacking often striking features. However, soil is one of the most complex media on Earth, vital for the biogeosphere and human civilization. With increased usage of soil for world food production, building materials, waste repositories, etc awareness has grown for the need of better global understanding of soil and its processes.

The Encyclopedia of Soil Science provides a comprehensive, alphabetical treatment of basic soil science in a single volume. It constitutes a wide ranging and authoritative collection of about 160 academic articles covering the salient aspects of soil physics, chemistry, biology, fertility, technology, genesis, morphology, classification and geomorphology.

The longer articles by leading authorities from around the world are being supplemented by ca 430 definitions of common terms in soil sciences. It should be emphasized though that the volume is not a dictionary but represents a compendium of knowledge.

Graduate students, scientists and professionals, from a wide variety of disciplines and others who deal with the nature, processes and use of soil will have access to essential information and be directed to pertinent specialized literature.

Please note that this publication is available as print only OR online only OR print + online set. Save 75% of the online list price when purchasing the bundle. For more information on the online version please type the publication title into the search box above, then click on the "eReference" version in the results list.

Ward Chesworth's profile page

Ward Chesworth is Professor Emeritus of Geochemistry at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. He co-edited Weathering, Soils and Paleosols, and three volumes of the annual Hammond Lecture Series broadcast in part by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation: Malthus and the Third Millennium, Sustainable Development, and The Human Ecological Footprint. He co-wrote Perspectives on Canadian Geology. In 2003 he received the Halbouty Prize of the Geological Society of America, of which he is a Fellow.

Professor Emeritus, University of Guelph (Selected GSA Fellow in 2005)

"Ward Chesworth's contributions are based on research as a geochemical petrologist focusing on soil petrology, defining conditions for sustainable agriculture through reducing stresses, demands, and abuses on Earth, including water, soil, and the environment. He has made major basic contributions to the application of geology for sustainable societies."