Soils
Genesis and Geomorphology

This expanded, fully updated second edition of the leading textbook in pedology and soil geomorphology is invaluable for anyone studying soils, landforms and landscape change.

Randall J. Schaetzl (Author), Michael L. Thompson (Author)

9781107016934, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 6 April 2015

795 pages, 539 b/w illus. 89 tables
26.1 x 20.8 x 3.3 cm, 1.57 kg

'Schaetzl and Thompson have managed to convey a sense of enthusiasm for their topic throughout the text, assisted in no small measure by the abundant use of pictures and graphics to illustrate their points. Where competing theories exist, the authors carefully give credence to alternatives to those, which they develop in the text.' M. S. Coyne, Choice

In its first edition, Soils established itself as the leading textbook in the fields of pedology and soil geomorphology. Expanded and fully updated, this second edition maintains its highly organized and readable style. Suitable as a textbook and a research-grade reference, the book's introductory chapters in soil morphology, mineralogy, chemistry, physics and organisms prepare the reader for the more advanced treatment that follows. Unlike its competitors, this textbook devotes considerable space to discussions of soil parent materials and soil mixing, along with dating and paleoenvironmental reconstruction techniques applicable to soils. Although introductions to widely used soil classification systems are included, theory and processes of soil genesis and geomorphology form the backbone of the book. Replete with more than 550 high-quality figures and photos and a detailed glossary, this book will be invaluable for anyone studying soils, landforms and landscape change anywhere on the globe.

Part I. The Building Blocks of Soils: 1. Introduction
2. Basic concepts: soil morphology
3. Basic concepts: soil horizonation ... the alphabet of soils
4. Basic concepts: soil mineralogy
5. Basic concepts: soil chemistry
6. Basic concepts: soil physics
7. Basic concepts: soil organisms
8. Soil classification and mapping
9. Weathering
Part II. Soil Genesis: From Parent Material to Soil: 10. Soil parent materials
11. Pedoturbation
12. Models and concepts of soil formation
13. Soil genesis and profile differentiation
Part III. Soil Geomorphology: 14. Soil geomorphology and hydrology
15. Soil development and surface exposure dating
16. Soils, paleosols and paleoenvironmental reconstruction
17. Conclusions.

Subject Areas: Social impact of environmental issues [RNT], Environmental management [RNF], Physical geography & topography [RGB], Palaeontology [RBX], Stratigraphy [RBGH], Petrology [RBGG], Geological surface processes [geomorphology RBGD], Soil science, sedimentology [RBGB], Botany & plant sciences [PST]