Description For undergraduate courses in Introduction to Soils, Fundamentals of Soil Science, and Soil Management. With an emphasis on the fundamentals, this book explores the important world of soils and the principles that can be used to minimize the degradation and destruction of one of our most important natural resources. Fully updated in this edition, it includes the latest information on soil colloids; nutrient cycles and soil fertility; and soils and chemical pollution. This edition is filled with hundreds of new figures and photos and continues to use examples from many fields, including agriculture, forestry, and natural resources. Taking an ecological approach, it emphasizes how the soil system is interconnected and the principles behind each soil concept. Features For undergraduate courses in Introduction to Soils, Fundamentals of Soil Science, and Soil Management. With an emphasis on the fundamentals, this book explores the important world of soils and the principles that can be used to minimize the degradation and destruction of one of our most important natural resources. Fully updated in this edition, it includes the latest information on soil colloids; nutrient cycles and soil fertility; and soils and chemical pollution. This edition is filled with hundreds of new figures and photos and continues to use examples from many fields, including agriculture, forestry, and natural resources. Taking an ecological approach, it emphasizes how the soil system is interconnected and the principles behind each soil concept. Hallmark Features Ecological approach. Treats soil science as a science on par with geology, chemistry, or ecology so that students can make the connection between soils and whatever part of the natural world they are studying. Emphasis on fundamental principles. Places an emphasis on the principles, not the technical aspects of soil science. Uses a writing style appropriate for a college-level audience. Examples from natural resources, forestry and agriculture. Moves beyond traditional agricultural topics to include applications from additional fields of study. Technical detail and worked calculations boxes. Provides a more robust discussion of topics and supplies students with worked calculations to enhance their understanding of concepts. Vignette and Application boxes. Highlights fascinating real-world anecdotes and captures student interest and imagination. Unique schematic diagrams and photographs. Illustrates concepts visually and demonstrates relationships, applications, and field situations relevant to many different fields of study. Cross referencing. Reinforces the idea that all aspects of the soil system are interconnected. Allows instructors to use the book chapters in any order of preference. Complete glossary of terms. Contains the most complete glossary of soil science terms available. New to this Edition Fully updated in this edition to include: Updated section on engineering properties of soils–see Chapter 4. Expanded treatment of soil quality, soil degradation and soil resilience–see Chapter 1, 11, 12, and 17. A new section on septic tank drain fields–see Chapter 6 Expanded section on irrigation management–see Chapter 6. A new section on wetlands and their poorly aerated soils–see Chapter 7. New! Look for hundreds of new references and new discussion of topics such as: The Pedosphere concept Subaqueous soils Ethnopedology Cation exchange reactions Binding of biomolecules to soil colloids Characteristics and problems of alkaline soils and more! Revised! Chapter 12 contains all material on nutrient cycles and processes. Offers a streamlined organization that covers all macro and micronutrients in one chapter. New! A new chapter on soil quality and pollution–see Chapter 15. Includes information on pesticides, organic contaminants, sludge, heavy metals, landfills, radionuclide and radon gas. New! More Full-Color photos (111) and Black and White photos (350). Provides new figures and images that illustrate concepts in a highly visual way. Table of Contents 1. The Soils Around Us 2. Formation of Soils from Parent Materials 3. Soil Classification 4. Soil Architecture and Physical Properties 5. Soil Water: Characteristics and Behavior 6. Soil and Hydrologic Cycle 7. Soil Air and Temperature 8. Soil Colloids: Seat of Chemical and Physical Activity 9. Soil Acidity, Alkalinity and Salinity 10. Organisms and Ecology of the Soil 11. Soil Organic Matter 12. Nutrient Cycles and Soil Fertility 13. Practical Nutrient Management 14. Soil Erosion and Its Control 15. Soil Quality and Pollution Post Matter