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 the Hydrologic Cycle

7 Soil Aeration and Temperature

8 The Colloidal Fraction: Seat of Soil Chemical and Physical Activity

9 Soil Acidity

10 Soils of Dry Regions: Alkalinity, Salinity, and Sodicity

11 Organisms and Ecology of the Soil

12 Soil Organic Matter

13 Nitrogen and Sulfur Economy of Soils

14 Soil Phosphorus and Potassium

15 Calcium, Magnesium, Silicon, and Trace Elements

16 Practical Nutrient Management

17 Soil Erosion and Its Control

18 Soils and Chemical Pollution

19 Geographic Soils Information

20 Prospects for Soil Health in the Anthropocene

Appendix A: World Reference Base, Canadian, and Australian Soil Classification Systems

Appendix B: SI Units, Conversion Factors, Periodic Table of the Elements, and Plant Names

Glossary of Soil Science Terms

Index

Developed for Introduction to Soils or Soil Science courses, The Nature and Properties of Soils, 15th Edition, can be used in courses such as Soil Fertility, Land Resources, Earth Science and Soil Geography. The Nature and Properties of Soils is designed to engage today's students with the latest in the world of soils. This hallmark text introduces students to the exciting world of soils through clear writing, strong pedagogy, and an ecological approach that effectively explains the fundamentals of soil science. Worked calculations, vignettes, and current real-world applications prepare readers to understand concepts, solve problems, and think critically. Written for both majors and non-majors, this text highlights the many interactions between the soil and other components of forest, range, agricultural, wetland and constructed ecosystems. Now in full-colour, the 15th Edition includes hundreds of compelling photos, figures, and diagrams to bring the exciting world of soils to life. Extensively revised, new and updated content appears in every chapter. Examples include: coverage of the pedosphere concept; new insights into humus and soil carbon accumulation; subaqueous soils, soil effects on human health; principles and practice of organic farming; urban and human engineered soils; new understandings of the nitrogen cycle; water-saving irrigation techniques; hydraulic redistribution, soil food-web ecology; disease suppressive soils; soil microbial genomics; soil interactions with global climate change; digital soil maps; and many others.