MAJOR SOIL GROUPS OF THE WORLD: ECOLOGY, GENESIS, PROPERTIES AND CLASSIFICATION

• Definitions, Concepts and Tools
Basic Concepts
Methods for Study of Pedogenesis
Dating and Tracing
• Factors of Pedogenesis
Climate
Rocks
Time and Age of Soils
Geomorphology and Surface Formations
Vegetation and Humus
Soil Fauna and Microorganisms
Man
• Progressive Descent of Weathering Fronts, other Pedogenetic Mechanisms and Spatial Organization of Soils
Vertical Differentiation of Soils
Mechanisms of Evolution of Soils
Mineralogical Evolution of Clays
Attempt at Modelling
Organization of Soils at all Scales
• Classifications: International WRB and U.S. Soil Taxonomy
Historical Review
World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB)
The American Classification
• Ferralsols and other Soils of the Hot Regions
Generalities
Typical Profile and Differentiation
Duration of Pedogenesis
Ecology and Classification
Evolution of Ferrallitic Environments
Land Use
• Vertisols
Typical Profile and Differentiation
Ecology and Typology
Functioning
Genesis
Classification
Evolution/Degradation of Vertisols
Return to the Weathering-front Model
Utilization of Vertisols
• Calcisols and other Soils on Carbonate-Bearing and Sulphate-Bearing Materials
Generalities
Distribution of Calcareous and Ca-saturated Soils
Decarbonatation Phenomena
Accumulation Phenomena
Typology and Classification
Utilization of Calcareous Soils
• Cambisols, Luvisols and Planosols
Fundamental Mechanisms of Development
Development of the Profiles
Typology and Classification
Ecology and Duration of Pedogenesis
Conservation and Utilization
• Red Soils of the Mediterranean and Dry Tropical Zones
Soil Sequences in the Rhône Valley
Ecology of the Red Soils
Classification and Typology
Utilization of the Soils
• Andosols
Principal Features and Ecology
The ‘Amorphous Materials’ in Andosols
Genesis of Andosols
Properties of Andosols
Typology and Classification
Protection and Utilization
• Podzolic Soils
Morphology and Properties of Podzolic Soils
Ecology
Genesis of Podzols
Typology and Classification
Utilization of Podzolic Soils
• Gleysols, Stagnosols and Histosols
Oxidation-reduction Phenomena
Dynamics of Iron in Presence of Excess Water
Evolution of Organic Matter when Excess Water is present
Gleysols and Stagnosols
Marshes and Peatlands
Mangrove Swamps
Rice Paddies
• Saline Soils: Solonchaks and Solonetz
Expression of Salinity
Origin of Soil Salinity
Properties of Saline Soils
Dynamics of Salts
Evolution and Typology of Saline Soils
Elements of Land Reclamation
Appendix: Brief Glossary for Saline Soils
• Chernozems; General Conclusions
The Chernozem
Index

This profusely illustrated book gives an exhaustive account of the principal types of soils of our planet. The "progressive descent of weathering fronts" model, recognized and used by eminent international scientists is the guiding principle of choice to link the observations and to give the reader a synthetic and coherent view of the differentiation of soils. In each case, the introductory reminders summarize the physicochemical and mineralogical principles necessary for understanding the text. The nomenclatures rely systematically and simultaneously on the two most commonly used classifications: Soil Taxonomy and World Reference Base. This reference manual is aimed at students of the undergraduate and graduate courses, but is also intended for workers and scientists in this subject area (geologists, pedologists, agronomists, land-use planners, foresters, etc.) as well as for all those concerned with or interested in protection of the environment.