"Soils and Environment" examines the fundamental importance of soils. Combining practical analysis and interpretation with a theoretical approach, the authors discuss the properties of soils, debate the environmental factors that influence their development and address their resulting spatial characteristics on a global scale. Examining the impact of environmental controls on soil formation, this book also analyzes the role of soils as components of natural environmental systems and soil-human interactions. A glossary of terms aids the less scientific reader. Adopting macro and micro-scale, pure and applied, spatial and temporal, and natural and human related approaches, this book offers an understanding of soils within an environmental context. As environmental problems, such as pollution, acidification, erosion and climatic change become matters of greater concern, "Soils and Environment" offers an essential understanding for readers across a spectrum of environmentally-related subjects.

1. Introduction 2. Soil Constituents and Properties 3. Soil Formation - Processes and Profiles 4. Soil Formation and Environment 5. Soils and the Past 6. Soils in Natural Systems 7. Soils in Landuse Systems 8. Soils and Environmental Problems 9. Soil Survey and Land Evaluation 10. Conclusions Glossary References Index