Soil The Skin of the Planet Earth

The main focus of this monograph is to explain the important role of soil and the environment to a broad audience. Soil is one of the five essential factors crucial for human life. On the one hand the authors describe a responsible approach and use of soil, established on a basic knowledge of the nature of soil and the countless ongoing processes within soil. On the other hand they explain the precarious link between soil and regional environment, which is indispensable for plant and animal communities. In addition to these topics its chapters describe the unique roles of soil texture, soil structure and soil pore systems in hydrologic cycles, plant nutrition and conditions affecting the preservation or eventual extinction of soil. This book concludes with the principles of soil protection and revitalization. General readers with an interest in biology, chemistry, physics or geology will find this book highly informative.

Omnipresent soil.- How I earned my first crown and dollar.- Soil is the skin of the planet Earth.- The smallest zoo and botanical garden.- The birth of soils.-Crumbling of soils.- Soils as the skyscrapers.- Soil is never without water.- How water flows in soil.- Soil regulates circulation of water on the planet Earth.- How the plants nourish themselves.- Soil reveals its true character.- Dear Soil, what is your name?.- Illness and death of soils.- Index.

Prof. Miroslav Kutílek is Prof. Emeritus from the Czech Technical University (Prague, Czech Republic). He is an internationally recognized expert in soil science, physics and hydrology. He published many books and papers and played a key role in the development of hydropedology.

Prof. Donald R. Nielsen is Prof. Emeritus at the University of California (Davis, CA, USA). He is an international expert on soil physics, soil water movement and flow through porous media. He has been and still is a major key player in the field.

Both authors have made soil sciences evolved a lot in the last 50 years and have been source of inspiration for all soil scientists. They are both Honorary Members of the International Union of Soil Science.