Soil Protection Handbook

Didactically written and carefully edited, this two-volume handbook is a prime resource for everyone managing soil and ensuring its sustainable use, for agriculture, construction, recreation and ecosystem conservation. After a comprehensive introduction to soil and its various functions in agriculture, infrastructure, and ecology, the book systematically addresses soil processes and the external stress factors influencing them, from the local to the global scale. Impacts from soil use by agriculture or construction are discussed, from climate factors, as well as the contamination with pollutants from various sources, for a complete picture of the soil ecosystem and its dynamics. The second volume discusses soil protection measures and the remediation of degraded soils. The complete range of measures and approaches for soil management is addressed, from contemporary urban planning to precision farming methods to the proper cultivation of reclaimed and de-contaminated soils. With its complete coverage, this handbook is a unique resource for anyone tasked with managing soil and ensuring its sustainable use. Endorsed by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), this handbook is a must-have for everybody with a relation to this important key issue for achieving global sustainability.