Handbook for the Assessment of Soil Erosion and Sedimention Using Environmental Radionuclides. F. Zapata, editor. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, Boston, 2002, xii + 219 p. ISBN 1-4020-1041-9. Hardcover.
This handbook deals with soil erosion and sedimentation. Soil erosion and associated sediment deposition are natural landscape-forming processes that can be greatly accelerated by human intervention through deforestation, overgrazing, and non-sustainable farming practices. Soil erosion and sedimentation may not only cause on-site degradation of the natural resource base, but also off-site problems, e.g. downstream sediment deposition in fields, floodplains and water bodies, water pollution, eutrophication, and reservoir siltation. There is an urgent need for accurate information to quantify the problem and to underpin the selection of effective soil-conservation technologies and sedimentation-remediation strategies, including assessment of environmental and economic impacts. Existing classical techniques to document soil erosion are capable of meeting some of the needs, but they all possess important limitations. The quest for alternative techniques for assessing soil erosion, to complement existing methods, directed attention to the use of environmental radionuclides, in particular fallout 137Cs, as traces to quantify rates and establish patterns of soil redistribution within the landscape. This handbook contains the developments made in the refinement and standardization of the technique, developed by 25 research groups worldwide, and featuring the contributions of a team of leading experts in the field. It provides a comprehensive coverage of the methodologies for using radionuclides, primarily 137Cs and 210Pb to establish rates and spatial patterns of soil redistribution and determine the geochronology of sediment deposits. The book also aims to give advice on matters relating to the selection of suitable coring sites, the sampling strategy, and on methods for retrieving cores and subsampling. It is stated that these first steps should be well planned and executed with careful attention to detail. The book is illustrated with many figures and photographs.
Price: EUR 79.00; USD 76.00; GBP 51.00. Orders to: In North America, Mexico and Latin America: Kluwer Academic Publishes, P.O. Box 358, Accord Station, Hingham, MA 02013-0358, USA. Fax: +1-781-681-9045. E-mail: kluwer@wkap.com. Homepage: www.wkap.com. Elsewhere: Kluwer Academic Publishers, Customer Service, P.O. Box 322, 3300 AH Dordrecht, The Netherlands. Fax: +31-78-6576474. E-mail: orderdept@wkap.nl. Homepage: www.wkap.nl.
Rocks for Crops. Agrominerals of sub-Saharan Africa. P. van Straaten. ICRAF, Nairobi and University of Guelph, 2002, x + 338 p. ISBN 0-88955-512-5. Softcover.
Soils of large parts of Africa are overfarmed and overgrazed, resulting in declining soil productivity. Or, as Professor Pedro Sanchez puts it in his foreword: Soil fertility depletion has been identified as the fundamental biophysical root cause of insufficient food production . The degradation of this fundamental life-supporting resource poses a major threat to the future of African farmers. However, farmers are increasingly reversing soil degradation and nutrient depletion through improved management techniques, making use of available organic and inorganic resources. This book introduces the applied, goal-oriented, natural resource science of agrogeology. According to the author, a geologist with many years of practical experience in Africa, agrogeology is the study of geological materials and processes that contribute to the maintenance of agro-ecosystems. Agrominerals are naturally occurring geological resources for the production of fertilizers and soil amendments. The present inventory of indigenous agromineral resources from 48 countries in sub-Saharan Africa shows the potential of developing the known agrominerals and finding additional mineral resources for use in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and agroforestry. The use of low-cost agrominerals is only a part of an overall integrated land management strategy that aims at assisting the small-scale farmers by making the best use of locally available resources to improve farming.
This text and inventory is an excellent starting point for soil and agricultural scientists and (agro)geologists to work together to help increase crop yields in a sustainable way.
Requests to: ICRAF, P.O. Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya. Fax: +254-2-524001. Email: icraf@cgiar.org Homepage: www.icraf.cgiar.org Or to: Prof. P. van Straaten, Department of Land Resource Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada. Fax: +1-519-824-5730. Email: pvanstra@uoguelph.ca. Homepage: www.uoguelph.ca/lrs
Soil and Environmental Science Dictionary. Edited by E.G. Gregorich, L.W. Turchenek, M.R. Carter and D.A. Angers for the Canadian Society of Soil Science. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton, London, 2002, xvii + 577 p. ISBN 0-8493-3115-3. Hardcover.
The terminology of soil science is a language in itself. Soil scientists collaborate increasingly with colleagues from many fields, and a basic working knowledge of the vocabularies of those fields improves understanding and enhances the flow of information. This dictionary brings together the conventional vocabulary of soil science with that of many overlapping disciplines. It includes definitions from a range of disciplines such as agronomy, botany, geology, geography, plant science, forestry, biochemistry, applied ecology, microbiology and remote sensing. It has over 4000 terms, which are presented in traditional dictionary format, with equivalent French terms following each definition. The terms are extensively cross-referenced, giving a deeper understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of soil science. Indexes group the terms according to discipline and subject area in English and French. Appendices include SI units, tables on the Canadian soil classification and diagrams of soil structure and texture. The Canadian Society of Soil Science should be complimented with the initiative to prepare this practical dictionary!
Price: USD 69.95; GBP 46.99.
Orders to: see below.
Land Use and Sustainability: FAM Research Network on Agroecosystems. P. Schr der, J.C. Munch and B. Huber, editors. Special Issue of Geoderma, volume 105, nos. 3-4, February 2002, pp 155-386.
Elsevier, Amsterdam, London. ISSN 0016-7061.
Improving information about agroecosystems, developing future strategies for environmentally compatible land use, and achieving agricultural productivity and sustainability under one umbrella are the main goals of the FAM Research Network on Agroecosystems. Scientists of various disciplines study these topics on a 150 ha research farm in Bavaria, Germany. The farm is divided into two farming programs: an organic and an integrated crop production. The researchers record, evaluate and forecast management-induced changes of this agrarian ecosystem and its environment. They seek indicators for sustainable land use and model processes at the field level, the farm level and, whenever possible, at the landscape level. This special issue of Geoderma contains selected research papers from the period 1993-1998, a subset of the wide range of topics encompassing the FAM project: farming and economic aspects, biodiversity and effects on flora and fauna, impacts on soil, water and air, and process modeling. For further information on the FAM project, see http://fam.weihenstephan.de
Orders to: Customer Support Department at the Regional Sales Office in New York, Amsterdam, Tokyo and Singapore. See www.elsevier.nl for details.
Sustainable Water and Soil Management S. Kunst, T. Kruse and A. Burmester, editors. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, 2002, xvi + 393 p. ISBN 3-540-42428-8. Hardcover.
This book looks at the pressing problems of water and soil management, presenting state-of-the-art knowledge and exploring future projects. Special consideration is given to the perspective of developing countries, based on experience gained at the International Women s University (ifu), held in Hannover in the summer of 2000, as part of the EXPO 2000 World Exposition. In three months, 747 women junior scientists from 115 countries, of which more than 60% came from the developing world, studied at the International Women s University, the staff consisted of 313 women lecturers and visiting scholars from 49 countries. The present volume is the first in a series presenting the results of ifu s pilot semester to the international scientific community. The following topics are addressed: introductory chapters about the framework and the innovative aspects of the project; scientific aspects regarding wastewater treatment and reuse, water distribution and rainwater harvesting, river development planning, health and sanitation, technical and social aspects of water management. Throughout the chapters use if made of case studies, many of which in developing countries. In the appendix is a manual for the analysis of soils and related materials.
Price: EUR 84.95.
Orders to: Springer Auslieferungs Gesellschaft, Haberstrasse 7, D-69126 Heidelberg, Germany. Fax: +49-6221-345229. E-mail: orders@springer.de. Homepage: www.springer.de. In North America: Springer Verlag New York, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010, USA. Fax: +1-212-473-6262. E-mail: orders@springer-ny.com. Homepage: www.springer-ny.com.
Organo-Clay Complexes and Interactions. S. Yariv and H. Cross, editors. Marcel Dekker, New York and Basel, 2002, viii + 687 p. ISBN 0-8247-0586-6. Hardcover.
Organo-clay complexes occur everywhere in nature, and the interaction between organic matter and clay minerals was one of the most important reactions in determining the history of our planet. The systematic scientific study of clay-organic interactions started at the beginning of the twentieth century. In the past 60 years various advanced studies have been carried out and published. This book summarizes the progress made and examines various ideas and advanced techniques and their contributions to our knowledge of organo-clay. The book contains 11 chapters. After a general description of clay minerals and their surface activity, Ch. 2 presents an introduction to organo-clay complexes and describes the different types of complexes. Ch. 3 deals with organo-vermiculite complexes. Ch. 4 and 5 discuss the physical chemistry of two specific surface phenomena of organo-clay complexes: organophilicity and hydrophobicity of these complexes and ion-exchange equilibria in these systems. Four chapters are devoted to advanced investigative methods commonly used in the study of organo-clay complexes: nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetry (TG), infrared (IR) and thermo-IR spectroscopy, and visible absorption spectroscopy. Ch. 10 deals with the catalytic activity of clay minerals and their contribution to organic chemical reactions in nature and in the laboratory. The last chapter reviews the various ideas that relate clay minerals to the origin of life. Many important subjects in clay-organic systems have not been included in this volume. These might be covered in a second volume. Information on clay-organic interactions and organo-clay complexes is important to workers in many disciplines, including agricultural chemists, earth and soil scientists, geochemists, environmental scientists, and engineers in industries in which both clays and organic matter are essential ingredients. All chapters have many clear figures and carry extensive lists of references. The book also contains a mineral index, an organic compound index, and author and subject indexes.
Price: USD 195.00.
Orders to: The Americas: Marcel Dekker, Order Department, P.O. Box 5005, Monticello, NY 12701-5185, USA. Fax: +1-845-796-1772. E-mail: bookorders@dekker.com. Homepage: www.dekker.com. Elsewhere: Marcel Dekker, IBS Book Service, Postfach 812, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland. Fax: +41-61-161-8896. E-mail: intlorders@dekker.com.
German Environmental Law. M ire Mulloy/Eike Albrecht/Tanja H ntsch, Eds. Erich Schmidt Verlag, Berlin, Bielefeld, M nchen, Serie: Beitr ge zur Umweltgestaltung, Vol. A 147, 2002, XXIV, 434 pages, 14.4×21 cm, soft cover. ISBN 3 503 06072 3.
The English-language version of the legislation for the protection of the environment currently in force in Gemany aims at making this body of law accessible to non-German speakers, students and professionals alike. The book addresses the principle laws aiming at the protection of air, soil, and water, of national landscapes and habitats, including flora and fauna, as well as laws of a more general scope, e.g. those regulating liability in cases of harmful impacts on the environment. Moreover, laws with particular relevance for potential investors, such as the Evironmental Impact Assessment Act and others are included in this compilation.
The publication also contains translations of the respective German language original versions of the laws in force by October 2001.
Price: EURO 29.80/ SFR 51.-
Soil Mineralogy with Environmental Applications. Soil Science Society of America Book Series number 7. J. Dixon and D.G. Schulze, editors. Soil Science Society of America, Madison, 2002, 866 p. ISBN 0-89111-839-8.
The first five chapters of this new volume in the SSSA Book Series present principles and illustrations of mineral properties and crystallography, surface chemistry, mineral solution equilibria, soil
organic matter, and methods of soil mineral analysis. The following seventeen chapters present soil mineralogy in a uniform chapter outline devoted to various mineral groups based on their chemical composition and structural properties. The final six chapters are devoted to applications of soil mineralogy to our understanding of soil taxonomy, soil tectonics (movement), radionuclides in soils, and pesticides in soils.
The chapters in this book present the essence of important concepts and in linking scientific theory to real environmental problems, and synthesize and summarize important concepts rather than providing comprehensive reviews of the literature. Preference has been given to citing recent reviews and original studies that provide additional links to the older literature. The book has numerous visuals from soils, sediments, and models of synthetic and natural minerals. Color visuals are used throughout the book to make mineral structures, mineral color, and the natural environment of occurrence as vivid as possible. Problems, exercises, and case studies are included in most chapters to link the theory to real environmental problems, enzymes in soils, and an introduction to charcoal in soils. The authors contributed from their experiences with soils in countries all over the world.
Price: USD 90.00 (SSSA members first copy USD 75.00). Item No. 60905.
Orders to: SSSA Headquarters Office, Attn: Book Marketing, 677 South Segoe Road, Madison, WI 53711-1086, USA. Fax: +1-608-273-2021. E-mail: books@soils.org. Homepage: www.soils.org.
Publications of the SOVEUR Project.
The Mapping of Soil and Terrain Vulnerability in Eastern and Central Europe (SOVEUR) project calls for the development of an environmental information system for this region. Using this system and auxiliary information on climate, land use and the type of soil pollution, the status of human-induced soil degradation and the areas considered vulnerable to defined pollution scenarios have been mapped at a scale of 1:2.5 million. The SOVEUR project is a joint FAO-ISRIC activity, coordinated at ISRIC by N.H. Batjes. It is carried out in close cooperation with the countries involved: Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovak Republic and Ukraine.
For further information, contact N.H. Batjes, ISRIC, P.O. Box 353, 6700 AJ Wageningen, The Netherlands. E-mail: batjes@isric.nl. See also the homepage: www.isric.org.
Soil Degradation Status and Vulnerability Assessment for Central and Eastern Europe: Preliminary Results of the SOVEUR Project. Proceedings of the concluding workshop, Busteni, October 1999. N.H. Batjes, editor. ISRIC, Wageningen, 2000, vii + 100 p. Softcover.
The main aim of the concluding workshop was to present preliminary results of the SOVEUR project, to reach agreement on issues of border correlation, to set deadlines for delivering the final revisions and products, and to formulate recommendations for future activities. An important achievement of the project has been to help strengthening cooperation between national, environmental organizations throughout the region. This publication contains the report of the workshop, the introductory papers and the contributions of the workshop participants from the countries involved.
Soil Data Derived from SOTER for Environmental Studies in Central and Eastern Europe (SOVEUR Project; Version 1.0). Report 2000/02. N.H. Batjes. ISRIC, Wageningen, 2000, iii + 27 p. Softcover.
A uniform set of derived soil data is required for the vulnerability component of the SOVEUR project. To this avail, data from 662 soil profile descriptions held in the Soil and Terrain Database (SOTER) compiled for the SOVEUR project area, were clustered first according to their classification in the revised FAO legend. Twenty-two major soil groups occur, corresponding with 83 different soil units. This set was expanded with 1271 profiles, and following a screening on database integrity and consistency, the resulting 1933 profile descriptions were submitted to a statistical analysis that included an outlier rejection-schema. Derived statistics for 17 soil attributes, commonly required for studies of environmental change, are presented by soil unit and depth zone. Simple taxo-transfer rules are introduced to fill some of the gaps that remained in the derived data. The results are presented digitally, as summary files of derived soil data.
Soil Vulnerability to Diffuse Pollution in Central and Eastern Europe (SOVEUR Project; Version 1.0). Report 2000/03 N.H. Batjes. ISRIC, 2000, iii + 55 p. Softcover.
This report presents a procedure for assessing the relative vulnerability of soils to diffuse pollution, using the vulnerability to heavy metal mobilization, inducible by acid deposition’ as an example. The resulting maps should be seen as first approximations, as no field-validation was possible within the framework of the SOVEUR project. Additional maps of soil vulnerability can easily be generated, using the available parametric overviews of derived soil properties , in combination with specialist knowledge of contaminant behaviour. In a GIS, the vulnerability maps can be overlain onto a map of current or anticipated (accumulated) loadings to show where so-called Chemical Time Bombs are prone to occur. Exploratory analyses of soil vulnerability at the (sub)continental level, as adopted for the 1:2.5 million scale SOVEUR project, can provide the basis for identifying areas considered at risk from diffuse pollution once auxiliary databases on heavy metal loadings and acid deposition become freely accessible.
SOTER Summary file for Central and Eastern Europe. (SOVEUR Project; Version 1.0). Report 2000/06. N.H. Batjes. ISRIC, Wageningen, 2000, ii + 12 p. Softcover.
This summary file has been compiled to aid end-users with limited programming experience. It has been derived from the full-scale Soil and Terrain (SOTER) database and a set of derived soil properties for the SOVEUR region. The file can serve as input for a wide range of environmental studies, at an observational scale.
Soil Degradation in Central and Eastern Europe: The Assessment of the Status of Human-Induced Soil Degradation. (SOVEUR Project; Version 1.0). Report 2000/05. ISRIC, Wageningen, 2000. Softcover.
As part of the SOVEUR Project, the assessment of soil degradation in the region at a scale of 1:2.5 million aims to produce a geographical overview of the current status of soil degradation, with emphasis on soil pollution. The current report presents the results of this assessment. At the scale of this assessment it is difficult to provide quantative criteria, in particular for soil pollution, considering the enormous variety in pollution types and impacts, but also in the criteria in so far they exist. The criteria for the assessment of pollution applied here follows as much as possible the standards used previously for the other types of degradation, but separate classes and descriptions have been defined for the degree and the impact of pollution. The assessment serves as a means to increase awareness on soil degradation status in general and on the status of pollution in particular. In view of the scale and the available data, the inventory is based on experts estimates, giving an overall impression of the status of soil degradation in the region. This information may help to increase awareness of the problem and to facilitate the identification of specific areas considered at risk from soil pollution.
Soil and Terrain Database, Land Degradation Status and Soil Vulnerability Assessment for Central and Eastern Europe. Version 1.0. (1:2.5 million scale). FAO Land and Water Digital Media Series 10. FAO,Rome, 2000. CD-ROM.
This CD-ROM contains the spatial and attribute databases and the technical reports produced during the execution of the SOVEUR project between 1997 and 2000. The databases compiled contain: (1) a harmonized soil and terrain database for 13 countries in the SOVEUR region at 1:2.5 million scale, compiled following the SOTER principles, including georeferenced soil profile data; (2) a database ands associated maps on the status of soil degradation in the region, including an evaluation of the extent, type, severity, causes and trends; and (3) a database and associated maps on the vulnerability to pollution, in particular by 11 metals: Cd, Mn, Ni, Co, Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, Hg, Fe and Al. All the coverages are in geographical position (latitude/longitude). The technical reports included cover the various technical documentation and guidelines prepared for the compilation of the various spatial databases. They also contain proceedings of two workshops. A Shareware directory contains subdirectories with executable files that permit downloading of shareware versions of Acrobat 4.0 and the ACDSee graphics viewer, needed to consult the technical reports and the image files that show selected map outputs of the SOVEUR project.
Orders for the CD-ROM to: Sales and Marketing Group, FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, I-00100 Rome, Italy. Fax: +39-06-57053360. E-mail: publications-sales@fao.org.
Interactions between Soil Particles and Microorganisms. Impact on the Terrestrial Ecosystem. IUPAC Series on Analytical and Physical Chemistry of Environmental Systems volume 8. P.M. Huang, J.-M. Bollag and N. Senesi, editors. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, 2002, xvi + 566 p. ISBN 0-471-60790-8. Hardcover.
The main purpose of the IUPAC series is to make chemists and other scientists aware of the most important bio-physicochemical conditions and processes that define the behavior of environmental systems. Thus the volumes emphasize the fundamental theoretical concepts of environmental and bioenvironmental processes, taking into account their specific aspects such as physical and chemical heterogeneity. Another goal of the series is to discuss the analytical tools, which exits or should be developed to study these processes.
The present volume focuses in 12 chapters on major elements of the analytical and physical chemistry of soil particles in their interaction with microorganisms and organic components in the medium, at the molecular and microscopic levels and the impact on the terrestrial ecosystem. The book covers an overview on interactions of soil particles and microorganisms, a fractal approach for studying interactions between soil particles and microorganisms, microbial mobilization of metals from minerals, fine-grained mineral development and bioremediation, and the impact of the various interactions on formation of metal oxides, development of aggregates, ion cycling and organic pollutant transformation, rhizosphere chemistry and biology, and anaerobic and transport processes in the terrestrial environment. The contributions in this book, which is co-sponsored by IUSS, are well illustrated, have good introductions to the chapters, conclusions and recommendations, and all have extensive lists of references. It provides the scientific community with a critical evaluation of state-of-the-art research on the subject matter, with the goal of advancing the understanding of reactions and processes at the interface between chemistry and biology of soil and related environments.
Price: GBP 150.00; EUR 240.00; USD 247.50.
Orders to: North and Latin America: John Wiley & Sons, Customer Care Center, Consumer Accounts, 10575 Crosspoint Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46256, USA. E-mail: customer@wiley.com. Elsewhere: John Wiley & Sons, Customer Services Department, 1 Oldlands Way, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO22 9SA, UK. Fax: +44-1243-843303. E-mail: cs-books@wiley.co.uk. Homepage: www.wileyeurope.com.
State of the World 2002. C. Flavin, H. French, G. Gardner a.o. L. Starke editor. Special World Summit Edition with a foreword by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The Worldwatch Institute. W.W. Norton & Company, New York and London, 2002, xxii + 265 p. ISBN 0-393-32279-3. Softcover. Softcover.
This 19th edition of the well-known State of the World series is made in preparation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in September 2002 in Johannesburg. This edition, with a challenging foreword by the Secretary-General of the UN Kofi Annan, evaluates what has been achieved since the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. How much progress has been made toward the goals set out 10 years ago? It is stated that ten years after Rio, economic and environmental marginalization still afflict billions of people. Pressures on the world s natural systems, from global warming to the depletion and degradation of resources have further destabilized societies. Although the report highlights a number of social and environmental advances since Rio, many other important trends continue to worsen. As major impediments that have slowed progress towards building a sustainable world over the last decade are mentioned: Environmental policies remain a low priority; foreign aid spending is stagnating; and third world indebtedness is getting worse. The authors also shed light on the possibilities for change and how existing technologies and resources can help solve many of the most pressing problems.
Price: USD 15.95, plus USD 4.00 handling and postage in the U.S. and USD 5.00 outside.
Orders: Worldwatch Institute, P.O. Box 879, Oxon Hill, MD 20797, USA. Fax: +1-301-567-9553. E-mail: wwpub@worldwatch.org. Homepage: www.worldwatch.org.
Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual. Sixth edition. B.M. Das. Oxford University Press, New York and Oxford, 2002, 277 p. ISBN 0-19-515046-5. With CD-ROM. Softcover.
Proper laboratory testing of soils to determine their physical properties is an integral part in the design and construction of structural foundations, the placement and improvement of soil properties, and the specification and quality control of soil compaction works. Learning to perform laboratory tests of soils plays an important role in the geotechnical engineering profession.
The present book includes eighteen laboratory procedures that cover the essential properties of soils and their behavior under stress and strain, as well as explanations, procedures, sample calculations, and completed and blank data sheets. The manual provides a detailed discussion of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Classification System and the Unified Soil Classification System updated to conform to recent American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specifications. To improve ease and accessibility of use, this new edition includes not only the stand-alone version of the Soil Mechanics Laboratory Test software, but also the ready-made Microsoft Excel templates designed to perform the same calculations. With the convenience of point and click data entry, these interactive programs can be sued to collect, organize, and evaluate data for each of the book s eighteen labs. The resulting tables can be printed with their corresponding graphs, creating easily generated reports that display and analyze data obtained from the manual s laboratory tests.
Price: GBP 15.99; USD 39.95.
Orders to: In Europe: Oxford University Press, Saxon Way West, Corby, Northants NN18 9ES, UK. Fax: +44-1536-746337. E-mail: oup.co.uk/bookorders/order.html. Homepage: www.oup.co.uk. In North America: Oxford University Press, 2001 Evans Road, Cary, NC 27513, USA. Fax: +1-919-677-1303. E-mail: orders@oup-usa.org. Homepage: www.oup-usa.org.
Land under Pressure. The Impact of Water Erosion on Food Production in Ethiopia. B.G.J.S. Sonneveld. Thesis, Free University, Amsterdam. Shaker Publishing, Maastricht, 2002, 249 p. ISBN 90-423-0192-9. Softcover.
The natural conditions of the Ethiopian Highlands generally offer a favourable environment for agricultural development and human settlement. However, its population densities and herd sizes are now the highest in Africa and continue to grow rapidly. This severe pressure on the land results in widespread soil degradation, mainly caused by water erosion. The threat of degraded soils, incapable of producing enough food, together with the probable outbreak of violent conflicts over scarce land, will likely wreak havoc on future generations. Calls for soil conservation seem justified, but require solid evidence of the detrimental impact of water erosion on food production before they warrant a place on the political agenda. This thesis aims to develop a reliable relationship between soil degradation and agricultural production at a national scale, the level where the most important decisions on soil conservation are made. Using non-parametric and parametric estimation techniques, the thesis reviews and develops three spatial water erosion models. These models assess soil degradation in its geographical dependance on biophysical variables and land use, reproducing soil losses or expert assessments. Integrating the water erosion models in an economic model with migration enables the evaluation of the food security situation under different scenarios for the coming 30 years. It is shown that transregional migration increases agricultural production and endorses the cultivation of now underutilized areas. The introduction of new technologies will boost food supply, but water erosion control remains indispensable for sustaining this production.
Price: Euro 36.00.
Orders to: Shaker Publishing, P.O. Box 3030, 6202 NA Maastricht, The Netherlands. Fax: +31-43-3255090. E-mail: info@shaker.nl. Homepage: www.shaker.nl.
Soil Physics Companion. A.W. Warrick, editor. CRC Press, Boca Raton, London, 2002, 389 p. ISBN 0-8493-0837-2. Hardcover.
This well-written and produced book includes the descriptions of the physical aspects of the soil system and of transport processes. The usual physical setting is at or just below the soil surface, but most of concepts and descriptions are valid to all depths and for all similar geological materials. This book contains nine chapters addressing the most significant topics of contemporary soil physics.
Chapters 1, 2 and 7 emphasize the soil solids. Included are descriptions of the matrix as well necessary definitions to describe both static and dynamic aspects of the soils. At the start, the soil is considered as static to facilitate quantification of mass, particle size and surface areas. Later the dynamics of tillage and temporal variations due the natural and human actions are examined. Soil water is the primary theme of Chapters 3 and 4, a major part of Chapters 5 and 6, and important for the other chapters as well. Along with general principles, measurement methodology and instruments are discussed for determining both soil water content and potential. Energy balance and the thermal regime are the topics of Chapter 5. Appropriate definitions, measurement techniques and the transport of energy are given. Inclued is a detailed description of the soil-plant-atmosphere interface, which represents a common convergence point for many of the world s problems of food production, water resources and environmental pollution, including global warming. Separate chapters are devoted to solute transport and soil-gas movement. Solute transport is fundamental in terms of environmental pollution, nutrient management and soil quality. Gas movement historically emphasized soil aeration relevant for cultural practices and microorganisms; today, it is also a major consideration for soil remediation and global gases. Spatial variability is treated in Chapter 9 in recognition of the importance of the heterogeneity of all soil properties. In soil physics, the development of the quantitative aspects of variation is necessary for both site quaracterization and for predictions into the future. This has been an active area for connecting soil systems to varied disciplines, including remote sensing, hydrology and resource management.
Price: USD 74.95.
Orders to: In USA, Canada, Asia, India and Australia: CRC Press LLC, attn: Order Entry, 2000 N.W. Corporate Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33431-9868, USA. Fax: +1-800-374-3401 or +1-561-989-8732. E-mail: orders@crcpress.com. Elsewhere: CRC Press, ITPS, Cheriton House, North Way, Andover, Hants. SP10 5BE, UK. Fax: +44-1264-342788. E-mail: crcpress@itps.co.uk. Homepage: crcpress.com.
Soil Pattern as a Key Controlling Factor of Water Erosion. Special issue of CATENA, vol. 46, issues 2-3, 2002. A.-V. Auzet, J. Poesen and C. Valentin, editors. Elsevier, Amsterdam, London, pp 85-220. ISSN 0341-8162.
The 16th World Congress of Soil Science, held in Montpellier in 1998, emphasized the relationships between human societies and the soil cover. Among these relationships, soil and water conservation is a well-identified challenge, which has given rise to more than 50 years research on soil erosion around the world. One of the main concerns is to allow sustainable soil cultivation. To address this issue, plot and field scale experimentation, measurements and modeling have enriched our knowledge of (1) the effects of factors in combination and (2) the processes themselves. This special issue of Geoderma reflects the flavour of the symposium soil patterns as a key controlling factor of water and/of wind erosion , which was organized with the aim to encourage the scientific community to contribute in organizing current knowledge in soil hydrology and soil erosion to a cross-scale objective, crucial as a human scale sustainable challenge. Soil patterning was mainly understood as micro-scale surface characteristics , rather than courser scale aspects of surface and soil profile characteristics. Submitted papers only focused on water erosion.
Orders to: Elsevier Science, P.O. Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Fax: +31-20-4853432. E-mail: nlinfo@elsevier.nl. Homepage: www.elsevier.nl. Or: Elsevier Science, P.O. Box 945, New York, NY 10159-0945, USA. Fax: +1-212-633-3680. E-mail: usinfo@elsevier.com. Homepage: www.elsevier.com.
Essential Soil Science. A clear and concise introduction to soil science. M.R. Ashman and G. Puri. Blackwell Science, 2002, viii + 198 p. ISBN 0-632-04885-9. Softcover.
This textbook is aimed at students who need to acquire a clear and concise overview of soil science quickly. Many soil science textbooks still cater for a traditional student market where students embark on a three years of study in a narrow discipline. However, the growth in modular degree schemes has meant that soil science is now often taught as a self-standing unit as part of a broad-based degree course. This informative guide will be particularly useful for students who do not possess a traditional scientific background, such as those studying geography, environmental science, ecology and agriculture, who want to quickly understand both the underlying principles and practical management aspects of soil science.
Price: GBP 19.99.
Orders to: Marston Book Services, P.O. Box 269, Abington, Oxon OX14 4Yn, UK. Fax: +44-1235-465555. Homepage: blackwell-science.com. In USA and Canada; Iowa State Press, 2121 S. State Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50014-8300, USA. Fax: +1-515-292-0155.
Bridging Wallace s Line: The Environmental and Cultural History and Dynamics of the SE-Asian-Australian Region. Advances in Geoecology 34. P. Kershaw, B. David, N. Tapper, D. Penny and J. Brown, editors. Catena Verlag, Reiskirchen, 2002, viii + 360 p. ISBN 3-923381-47-6. Hardcover.
The book starts with an introductory chapter providing the context for examination of the various linkages within the SE Asian-Australian region from the physical, biological and social sciences point of view. The main body of the book is divided in three parts. Part 1 includes contributions that explore present-day processes or long-term geological frameworks, providing contextual information for the later contributions that concentrate on the dynamics of the environment and people during the Quaternary. It includes background reviews on geology and plant biogeography, and also on the climate dynamics of the Maritime Continent, an area of increasing importance in understanding global climate change. Part 2 focuses on physical and biological changes in SE Asia-Australia during the Quaternary period, a time when modern humans and their ancestors have been present in the region. It provides a partial framework for understanding human occupation, but also reveals something about the nature, timing, and degree of human occupation. Pollen records offer evidence of transformations in vegetation patterning in relation to climate change, sea level fluctuations, biomass burning and the effects of mountain glaciers. These environmental dynamics provide a framework for the colonization and adaptation of Homo erectus and H. sapiens across the region explored in Part 3. This volume challenges long-held assumptions of essential difference across the SE Asia-Australia divide, bridging Wallace s Line with a fuller exploration of regional dynamics with global implications.
Price: EUR 109.00, USD 109.00.
Orders to: Catena Verlag, rmelgasse 11, D-35447 Reiskirchen, Germany. Fax: +49-6408-64978. E-mail: catenaverl@aol.com. Homepage: members.aol.com/catenaverl. In USA: Catena Verlag, HSU Bookstore, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA 95521, USA. Homepage: www.humboldt.org/bookstore.
Management of Tropical Plantation-Forests and their Soil-Litter System. Litter, Biota and Soil-Nutrient Dynamics. M.V. Reddy, editor. Science Publishers, Enfield and Plymouth, 2002, xix + 423 p. ISBN 1-57808-176-9. Hardcover.
There is a global recognition of the need to promote and expand sustainable plantation forestry and farm forestry in the tropics. While areas under native forests are diminishing, those under planted forests are increasing. In a broad sense, the latter include industrial plantations for pulp or timber, farm forests and agro-forests, woodlots for fuel, and plantations established for environmental benefits such as land rehabilitation, biodiversity rejuvenation, catchment protection, and, more recently, for sequestering carbon. There is good basis to state that planted forests, if judiciously managed, offer great opportunities for sustainable land use from which people can receive multiple benefits.
The soil-litter biota system and the processes that govern nutrient dynamics have been a popular area of research in all ecosystems. Because planted forests are expanding in the tropics and they are subject to a myriad of operations small and large it is important that the best use is being made of existing knowledge, recognizing the critical importance of soil and litter to sustained productivity and ecosystem functions. This book has brought together information about the interplay between soil, litter and biota that drives fundamental processes. Results from a wide range of plantations representing various biophysical environments are discussed. The volume will be a source of information for environmental biologists, soil scientists, soil ecologists en forestry experts with an interest in the tropics.
Orders to: Science Publishers, P.O. Box 699, Enfield, NH 03784, USA. E-mail: sales@scipub.net.
Homepage: www.scipub.net. Or: Plymbridge Distributors, Estover, Plymouth, PL6 7PY, UK. Fax: +44-1752-202331. E-mail: cservs@plymbridge.com.
Integrated Plant Nutrient Management in Sub-Saharan Africa: From Concept to Practice. B. Vanlauwe, J. Diels, N. Sanginga and R. Merckx, editors. CABI Publishing in association with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, 2002, xiii + 352 p. ISBN 0-85199-576-4. Hardcover.
Integrated nutrient management is currently a major area of interest for the agricultural research community in Africa. As the search for options to arrest soil fertility degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) gathers speed, strategies need to be developed to increase agricultural production, while safeguarding the environment for future generations. An in-depth diagnosis and re-definition of the problems associated with the ever-increasing nutrient depletion in SSA formed the basis of the Balanced Nutrient Management Systems (BNMS) project, a collaborative effort between IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria and the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. Previous collaboration had focused on soil organic matter as a key parameter in soil fertility in tropical regions. Without challenging this, evidence shows that only a combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers will lead to acceptable and sustainable solutions in the long run. The ongoing collaboration therefore aims at developing and testing management practices that maintain or improve soil nutrient balances by promoting the use of locally available sources of plant nutrients, maximizing their use efficiency and optimizing their combination with inorganic fertilizers.
This book contains a compilation of peer-reviewed papers presented at the International Symposium on Balanced Nutrient Management Systems, held in Cotonou, October 2000. In five parts covering different aspects of the Integrated Nutrient Management approach, it marks the end of the first phase of collaborative research on Balanced Nutrient Management Systems for the Moist and Humid Zones of Africa, and includes recommendations, providing essential reading for crop and soil scientists.
Price: GBP 55.00, plus packing and postage.
Orders to: CABI Publishing, Wallingford, Oxon OX10 8DE, UK. Fax: +44-1491-829292. E-0mail: orders@cabi.org. Homepage: www.cabi-publishing.org/bookshop. In North and Central America: Oxford University Press, 2001 Evans Road, Cary, NC 27513, USA. Fax: +1-919-677-1303. E-mail: orders@oup-usa.org. 10% discount when reference AWM is quoted when ordering.
Agroecological Innovations. Increasing Food Production with Participatory Development. N. Uphoff, editor. Earthscan Publications, London and Sterling, 2002, xviii + 306 p. ISBN 1-85383-857-8 (softcover); 1-85383-856-X (hardcover).
By the middle of the 21st century, world food production will need to be at least twice what it is now if we are to meet both economic demand and human needs. Everyone has a stake in the continued expansion of food production around the world in ways that do not (further) degrade our natural resource base. While having adequate food supply is not a sufficient condition to ensure food security and economic prosperity, it is a necessary one. With a growing shortage of land per capita and a serious shortage of water for agriculture, doubling food production will be a formidable task. At a meeting in 1997, professional from half a dozen disciplines were not convinced that expanding production along the present technological trajectory would ensure food security in ways that are environmentally acceptable and socially desirable, or maybe even economically sustainable. Proponents of agroecological approaches argued that these could contribute significantly to meeting world food needs. In April 1999, an international conference was held in Bellagio, Italy, to discuss the above-mentioned issues. Since only a tiny fraction of the resources put into mainstream agricultural development have thus far been invested in agroecological approaches, it is difficult to draw firm conclusions. But the case studies presented at the conference provided evidence of impressive possibilities for increasing production using mostly local resources and knowledge. Most case studies focused on African experiences. If agroecological approaches can raise food production under such adverse soil and water conditions, they will accomplish gains where conventional modern agricultural methods have largely failed over the past 40 years. The case studies from Latin America and Asia were different from, but consistent with, what is being learned from Africa.
Price: GBP 18.95 for the softcover edition; GBP 50.00 for the hardcover edition.
Orders to: Earthscan Publications, 120 Pentonville Road, London N1 9JN, UK. Fax: +44-20-7278-1142. E-mail: earthinfo@earthscan.co.uk. Homepage: www.earthscan.co.uk.
Plant Roots. The Hidden Half. Third edition. Books in Soils, Plants, and the Environment. Y. Waisel, A. Eshel and U. Kafkafi, editors. Marcel Dekker, New York and Basel, 2002, xx + 1120 p. ISBN 0-8247-0631-5. Hardcover. Ordering code: PA030217.
Roots, the hidden half of plants, serve a multitude of functions. They are responsible for anchorage, supply the plants with water and nutrients, and exchange various growth substances with the shoots. The root-soil interface is the site where most interactions between the plant and their environment occur. Roots constitute a major source of organic material for the soil and thus affect its structure, aeration, and biological activities. The interest of the editors in the development and function of plant roots stems from the academic desire to understand their role in plant life, as well as from the important aspects they have. Most agricultural investment is spent to provide conducive conditions for the growth of roots of crop plants. Functional and healthy plant roots are essential for production of many of the resources on which human properity depends. The objectives of the present monograph are multiple: to review the recent contributions to the knowledge of the structure and function of roots, to outline the frontiers of root sciences, to point out the areas where gaps in knowledge exist, and to indicate the direction toward which basic and applied root research should proceed in the future. The book serves as a major source of information for root scientists, botanists, plant physiologists, microbiologists, soil scientists, and those engaged in related professions. It presents a multidisciplinary view of the filed of plant roots and its state of the art. It covers various aspects of root origin, root structure, development and behavior, the interactions between roots and their environment, and the various uses of roots. The book contains 59 chapters, in which the following themes are covered: (I) The origin and characteristics of roots (2 papers); The root system: structure and development 11 papers); Root genetics (4 papers); (IV) Research techniques for root studies ((5 papers); (V) The regulation of root growth (9 papers); (VI) Physiological aspects of root systems (9 papers); (VII) Root growth under stress (6 papers); (VIII) Root-rhizosphere interactions (6 papers); (IX) Roots of various ecological groups (4 papers); and (X) Roots of economic value (3 papers).
Price: USD 250.00.
Orders to: USA, Canada and Latin America: Marcel Dekker, P.O. Box 5005, Monticello, NY 12701-5185, USA. Fax: 1-845-796-1772. E-mail: bookorders@dekker.com. Elsewhere: Marcel Dekker, Postfach 812, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland. Fax: +41-61-2606333. E-mail: intlorders@dekker.com. Homepage: www.dekker.com.
Encyclopedia of Global Change – Environmental Change and Human Society. A.S. Goudie, editor-in-chief. D.J. Cuff, associate editor. Oxford University Press, 2002. Volume 1, 710 p.; volume 2, 669 p. ISBN: 0-19-510825-6 (set); 0-19-514518-6 (vol. 1); 0-19-514519-4 (vol. 2). Hardcover.
These two massive volumes, each well over 650 pages thick, present a comprehensive and interdisciplinary guide to the Earth’s environment, set in the context of global environmental change. The Encyclopaedia includes over 300 entries, organized in alphabetical order. In order to facilitate access to this wealth of information, volume 2 contains a synoptic outline of contents, which define broad conceptual categories, as well as an extensive index. The main conceptual categories are: (a) Front Matter; (b) Concepts of Global Change; (c) Earth and Earth Systems, including Principal Articles , Geological Processes , Atmosphere , Ocean and Biosphere ; (d) Human Factors, which include Human Populations , Agriculture and Fishing , Industrial Activity , Social, Cultural and Ideological Factors , and Hazards and Human Health ; (e) Resources, which starts with a principal article followed by Water and Air , Land and land Use , Mineral and Energy resources ; (f) Responses to Global Change, including Scientific and Technological Tools , and Economic and Social Policies ; (g) Agreements, Associations, and Institutions; (h) selected Biographies (e.g., Svante Arrhenius); and, 20 case studies such as Deforestation of Amazonia and Desiccation of the Aral Sea. In view of the variety and quality of the information presented, the readership of the Encyclopaedia of Global Change will certainly include academic researchers, high school and university students, policy makers in government and industry, as well as general readers interested in the subject of global environmental change.
Price: GBP 185.00 (hardback).
Orders to: From Eire, Europe, and the rest of the world: CWO Department , Oxford University Press, Saxon Way West, Corby, Northants NN18 9ES, UK; From the UK: CWO Department, Oxford University Press, FREEPOST NH 4051, Corby, Northants NN18 9BR (no stamp required).
N.H. Batjes, The Netherlands.
Procedures for Soil Analysis. Sixth edition. ISRIC Technical Paper 9. Compiled and edited by L.P. van Reeuwijk. ISRIC and FAO. International Soil Reference and Information Centre, Wageningen, 2002. ISBN 90-6672-044-044-1. ISSN 0923-3792: no. 9. Softcover.
This laboratory manual presents the procedures for soil analysis as they were in use at ISRIC. The present sixth edition replaces the fifth, which was published in 1995. It is expanded with two procedures sued in soil characterization: the optical density of the oxalate extract (ODOE) for the characterization of Podzols, and the determination of the Melanic Index, used in Andisols.
Price: EUR 17.00 or USD 17.00, including postal charges.
Orders to: ISRIC, P.O. Box 353, 6700 AJ Wageningen, The Netherlands. Fax: +31-317-471700. E-mail: sales@isric.nl. Homepage: www.isric.org
Geoecology of Antarctic Ice-Free Coastal Landscapes. L. Beyer, M. B lter, University of Kiel (Eds.). 2002. xxiv, 424 pp., 54 figs., 59 tabs. (Ecological Studies Analysis and Synthesis, Vol. 154). Hardcover. ISBN 3-540-42268-4.
Research in Antarctica in the past two decades has fundamentally changed our perceptions of the southern continent. This volume describes typical terrestrial environments of the maritime and continental Antarctic. Life and chemical processes are restricted to small ranges of ambient temperature, availability of water and nutrients. This is reflected not only in life processes, but also in those of weathering and pedogenesis. The volume focuses on interactions between plants, animals and soils. It includes aspects of climate change, soil development and biology, as well as above-and below-ground results of interdisciplinary research projects combining data from botany, zoology, microbiology, pedology, and soil ecology.
Price: Euro 109,–; Pounds 76,50; SFr 180,50
Orders to: Springer, Customer Service, Haberstr. 7, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany; Fax: +49 (0)6221-345-229; E-mail: orders@springer.de.
Participation of Non-Governmental Organisations in International Environmental Co-operation. Legal Basis and Practical Experience. Sebastian Oberth r, Matthias Buck, Sebastian M ller, Dr. Stephanie Pfahl, Richard G. Tarasofsky, Dr. Jacob Werksmann, Alice Palmer. Ecologic Centre for International & European Environmental Research, Berlin. Reihe: Berichte des Umweltbundesamtes, Band 11/02. 2003. XIII. 287 Seiten, 15,8 cm x 23,5 cm, kartoniert. ISBN 3 503 07060 5.
The importance of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in international environmental co-operation has increased tremendously over the last decades. Accordingly, the participation of non-governmental actors has become a prominent subject for research, especially in the legal and social sciences. However, limited effort has been spent at systematically analysing the relationship between the legal basis and the practical influence of NGOs in different areas of international environmental co-operation. This study first laid a conceptual basis by reviewing existing definitions of NGOs and developing an own working definition, elaborating the functions NGOs perform in international environmental policy-making and examining various criteria that can serve to distinguish different types of NGOs.
Pice: Euro (D) 39,80
Orders to: Erich Schmidt Verlag GmbH&Co, POB 102451, Viktoriastra e 44A, 33602 Bielefeld.
Dictionnaire de Science du Sol, 4 me edition. J. Lozet et C. Mathieu. Editions TEC & DOC, Lavoisier, Londres, Paris, 2002, 584 p. ISBN 2-7430-0538-6. Hardcover.
A dictionary is a record of generally accepted meanings, which words have acquired at the time of publication. It can also be a book of alphabetically listed words in a language with their equivalent in another language.
This fourth edition of the Dictionnaire de Science du Sol meets both purposes in the field of soil science and related disciplines including soil classification, soil formation, landuse, soil fertility, soil conservation, mineralogy and geomorphology. It lists words in alphabetical order with definitions in French, the equivalent word in English and the etymology of terms derived from roots in classical languages. An English-French index constitutes a real Dictionary in both languages. With reference to accepted meanings which words have acquired at the time of publication it is obvious that updating is regularly required, especially in the domain of soil science, which evolved at a fast rate since the 1950s. In 1954 Lozet published his Dictionnaire de P dologie of 800 words. In 1958 Plaisance and Caillaux published a very comprehensive Dictionnaire des Sols . This valuable book is still a rich source of information, including vernacular names and expressions, but it is of limited pertinence for the present-day soil scientist. Hence, in 1986 Lozet and Mathieu prepared the first edition of their Dictionnaire de Science du Sol covering 2400 words. The success of this publication led to a 2nd edition in 1990, a 3rd edition in 1997 and the present 4th edition in 2002. The latter spans 4000 words, reflecting the evolution of soil science, the diversification of specializations, the development of different soil classification systems and the generation of new terminologies. Furthermore this dictionary has an added encyclopedic character. The explanation of words reaches often beyond a mere definition: concepts are elaborated on, cross references are made to related topics, bibliography for further reading is given, illustrations with figures and photographs are inserted. A biography of eighty late soil scientists of international renown is provided in a special chapter. Annexes are devoted to tabular overviews of French, German, Russian, USA, FAO and WRB (World Reference Base) soil classification systems. It is to be noted that the 2nd edition of the dictionary has been translated in English and in Russian. This dictionary should enhance international relations and hopefully contribute to overcome the language barrier, which still constrains the universal impact of soil science. The publishers have produced a highly finished book. Its attractive layout and clarity make it easy to read and to use.
Price: EUR 85.00.
Orders to: Lavoisier, 11 rue Lavoisier, F-75008 Paris, France. Or : Lavoisier, rue de Provigny, 14, F-94236 Cachan Cedex, France. Fax : +33-1-47-40-67-02 Homepage : www.lavoisier.fr.
R. Dudal, Belgium.
Man and Soil at the Third Millennium. J.L. Rubio, R.P.C. Morgan, S. Asins and V. Andreu, editors. Geoformes Ediciones, Centro de Investigaciones sobre Desertificacion, Logrono, 2002, 2234 p., in two volumes. ISBN volume I 84-87779-46-8; volume II 84-87779-47-6. Set of two volumes 84-87779-45-X. Hardcover.
This set consists of the proceedings of the Third International Congress of the European Society for Soil Conservation (ESSC), which was held in Valencia, from 28 March to 1 April, 2000.
With strategy documents on soil emerging at both European and national levels, soil is being recognized again as an important resource, alongside air and water, underpinning future sustainable development. Since implementation of strategies needs to be based on sound science, these volumes are timely in providing a clear statement of scientific understanding and knowledge of soils at the start of the new millennium. The volumes are organized around ten themes: (1) soil and society (17 papers); (2) soil and water cycle (17 papers); (3) interlinkages between biodiversity, climate change and water resources (17 papers); (4) traditional soil and water conservation systems (7 papers); (5) soil indicators (7 papers); (6) soil functions and soil quality (31 papers); (7) desertification and soil degradation processes (38 papers); (8) soil contamination (17 papers); (9) new technologies and soil assessment (20 papers); and (10) soil conservation (11 papers). Also included are the opening speeches and the texts of twelve keynote addresses. In his preface to the volumes, the Crown Prince of Spain encourages soil scientists to explore their subject with depth and efficiency to understand better the functioning of one of the essential components of the earth s ecosystem. Although this was a European meeting, in which the IUSS collaborated, contributions came also from the USA, Africa, Asia and Latin America. The result is a timely, comprehensive statement of the issues, methodologies and research findings on soils as they affect society. This is certainly a welcome addition, at an affordable price, to the growing literature on this important subject!
Price: EUR 60.00, plus EUR 5.00 mailing costs.
Orders to: Dr. Katharina Helming, ZALF, Eberswalde Starsse 84, D-15374 M ncheberg, Germany. Fax: +49-33432-82280. E-mail: essc.helming@zalf.de
Fundamentals of Soil Science. G.S. Sekhon, Editor. Indian Society of Soil Science, New Delhi, 2002, viii + 548 p. ISBN 81-901470-0-5. Hardcover.
This authoritative text begins with an introductory chapter by Dr. J.S. Kanwar, Past President of the International Society of Soil Science, and includes chapters on weathering and soil formation, soil classification, soil survey and mapping, physical properties of soils, soil water, soil air and soil temperature, tillage, water management of rainfed soils, water management of irrigated lands, soil erosion and conservation, basic chemical principles in soil science, chemical composition of soils, soil colloids, ion exchange in soils, soil acidity, soil salinity and alkalinity, essential nutrients and their uptake by plants, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, secondary nutrients, micronutrients, analysis of soil, plant, and fertilizer, soil fertility evaluation, organisms in soil and their activities, soil organic matter, fertilizers, soil fertility management, soil pollution and its control, and soil management for sustainable farming. SI units and conversion factors for SI and non-SI units are presented in the appendices that also include 48 color photographs of soilscapes and soil profiles, soil and water conservation measures, and nutrient deficiency symptoms. The 31 chapters have been written by 49 eminent Indian soil scientists. It is a cohesive and well-presented book. The authors’ stated audience is students and teachers. It is best suited as a textbook. The book projects Indian data and examples; as such it is unique in its field. Although it focuses on Indian soils, it deals with basic principles of soil science and management. It is, therefore, equally well suited to a broad audience in natural resource fields. The clear, easy-to-follow book will serve as an invaluable resource to individuals interested in soil science. This book is certainly a “must have” publication for all agricultural libraries.
Price: USD 75.00 (including airmail charges and handling).
Orders to: Indian Society of Soil Science, Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi – 110 012, India. Fax: +91-11-5755529. E-mail: isss@vsnl.com. Homepage:
www.indiansocietyofsoilscience.org.
Yash Kalra, Canada.
Natural Resources Engineering. E.W. Tollner. Iowa State Press, Ames, 2002, xvi + 576 p. ISBN 0-8138-1847-8. Hardcover.
This practical text and reference book examines the physics and engineering aspects related to water, soil and air-quality preservation. The book covers a diverse range of topics on the forefront of natural resources engineering. The hydrologic cycle and natural circulation of the wind shape the topic organization: general hydrologic topics, uplands water quality, stream channel design, management structures, stream and lake processes, storages and various uses, and air related processes. The volume stresses fundamentals, building on traditional agricultural engineering soil and water teachings. Furthermore, it provides useful internet addresses and links to sites offering practical tips. The text serves as a platform for upper undergraduate and graduate students in natural resources, environmental science, agricultural biosystems, biological, civil and chemical engineering, and as a reference and resource for practicing professionals in agriculture and natural resource engineering, forestry, ecology, water quality and hydrology management.
Price: USD 99.99.
Orders to: Iowa State Press, 2121 State Avenue, Ames, IA 50014-8300, USA. Fax: +1-515-292-3348. Homepage: www.iowastatepress.com.
Tillage for Sustainable Cropping. P.R. Gajri, V.K. Arora and S.S. Prihar. Food Products Pr