Sedimentology and pedology Books

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Book SynopsisHow has it come to this point in our history that we hardly value the food we eat and the soil that it's grown in? How is it that we care so little how food production impacts animals and the environment?Industrial farming has transformed Britain's rural landscapes, increasing crop yields and reducing hunger. Yet this has all come at a terrible ecological cost. It is both a miracle and a disaster'.Six Inches of Soil, the film and this companion book, is the inspiring story of three British farmers standing up to the industrial food system and transforming the way they produce food to heal the soil, benefit our health and provide for local communities.Six Inches of Soil is a story of courage, vision and hope. This book is not just for farmers. Reconnecting with our food, and regenerating our soils, ourselves and our communities benefits everyone and needs everyone to be involved. We want to inspire farmers with the confidence and practical know-how to adopt regenerative farming approac

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Book Synopsis* Fully revised and updated to provide a comprehensive introduction to soil science. * Covers all aspects of soil science including soil habitat, processes in the soil environment and soil management. * Emphasizes the applications of soil science to the solution of practical problems in soil and land management.Trade Review"Has the edge on other introductory general soil science texts because it is up to date, comprehensive, isn't too long, has a wide geographic appeal, and most of all, is based on soil, well understood and well-explained science." Geoderma "Principles and Practice of Soil Science provides a current and comprehensive introduction to soil science for students in the fields of environmental and agricultural science, ecology, soil and land management, natural resource management and environmental engineering." Biotechnology, Agronomy, Society and Environment "This clearly presented fourth edition, liberally illustrated with figures, graphs, tables and colour photographs is well suited to educate a wide audience about soil." Experimental Agriculture Third edition: "The strongest competition is in the introductory textbook area, and as an example of this genre this comprehensive up-to-date text is probably the best around" Alex McBratney - European Journal of Soil Science - Sept 1998 "...the author deserves to be congratulated on the production of the third edition of a well respected and useful book which I am pleased to have on my shelf." Tom Batey - EJSS - 1998 Second Edition "The book is an excellent compilation of soil science concepts and principles, skilfully accomplished in 244 page, including a very generous use of figures, graphs and tables within each chapter." Leon J Johnson - Soil Science Sept 1988 "I will be happy to recommend this new edition, just as I recommended the first, as the preferred text for students taking introductory courses in soil science." K. A. Smith - New Phytologist - 1987 First Edition "This clearly written and attractive publication on basic concepts of the properties and behaviour of soils is written for students in soil science as well as for those whose main interest lies in agriculture, forestry, ecology or geography" Bulletin of International Society of Soil Science - 1980 "In short, it would be difficult to conceive of any initial course of instruction on soils which would not benefit from use of this original and refreshing presentation." R. T. Smith - Teaching Geography - 1980 "A most useful book for first or second year soil courses in Geography" D. J. Briggs - Earth Surface Processes - 1981 "In general the choice of material is excellent, covering all major areas of interest" P.B. Tinker - New Phytologist 1981 "It is very well written and produced with excellent and copious illustrations and suggestions for further reading ... It is an important addition to the literature at this level." D. Payne - Journal of Biological Education - 1980 "For those teachers, for whom White's Principles and Practice of Soil Science has been and remains their choice of textbook, this new edition will be most welcome...it is now more international in appeal and teachers anywhere in the world are likely to find it valuable. If you are thinking of changing your teaching text, then I suggest that you give this new edition a close look, it has much to commend it." European Journal of Soil Science, April 2006Table of ContentsPreface. Part 1: The Soil Habitat. 1 Introduction to the Soil. 2 The Mineral Component of the Soil. 3 Soil Organisms and Organic Matter. 4 Peds and Pores. Part 2: Processes in the Soil Environment. 5 Soil Formation. 6 Hydrology, Soil Water and Temperature. 7 Reactions at Surfaces. 8 Soil Aeration. 9 Processes in Profile Development. 10 Nutrient Cycling. Part 3: Soil Management. 11 Maintenance of Soil Productivity. 12 Fertilizers and Pesticides. 13 Problem Soils. 14 Soil Information Systems. Index

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Book SynopsisRegenerative practices for the farm, garden, orchard, forest, and landscape Mycorrhizal fungi have been waiting a long time for people to recognize just how important they are to the making of dynamic soils. These microscopic organisms partner with the root systems of approximately 95 percent of the plants on Earth, and they sequester carbon in much more meaningful ways than human “carbon offsets” will ever achieve. Pick up a handful of old-growth forest soil and you are holding 26 miles of threadlike fungal mycelia, if it could be stretched it out in a straight line. Most of these soil fungi are mycorrhizal, supporting plant health in elegant and sophisticated ways. The boost to green immune function in plants and community-wide networking turns out to be the true basis of ecosystem resiliency. A profound intelligence exists in the underground nutrient exchange between fungi and plant roots, which in turn determines the nutrient density of the foods we grow and eat. Exploring the science of symbiotic fungi in layman’s terms, holistic farmer Michael Phillips (author of The Holistic Orchard and The Apple Grower) sets the stage for practical applications across the landscape. The real impetus behind no-till farming, gardening with mulches, cover cropping, digging with broadforks, shallow cultivation, forest-edge orcharding, and everything related to permaculture is to help the plants and fungi to prosper . . . which means we prosper as well. Building soil structure and fertility that lasts for ages results only once we comprehend the nondisturbance principle. As the author says, “What a grower understands, a grower will do.” Mycorrhizal Planet abounds with insights into “fungal consciousness” and offers practical, regenerative techniques that are pertinent to gardeners, landscapers, orchardists, foresters, and farmers. Michael’s fungal acumen will resonate with everyone who is fascinated with the unseen workings of nature and concerned about maintaining and restoring the health of our soils, our climate, and the quality of life on Earth for generations to come.Trade ReviewPublishers Weekly- "Phillips, the inimitable author of The Apple Grower (2005) and The Holistic Orchard (2011), once again charms and instructs with an in-depth philosophical and practical exploration of fungi. Branching off from Paul Stamets’s Mycelium Running, Phillips focuses on fungi’s intimate relations with the plant community, revealing their essential roles in botanical and soil health and how we can nurture them for our benefit and that of the entire biosphere. The book includes extensive and specific information about the science of fungi and their symbiosis with plants; nurturing and propagating fungal networks and functions; minimizing soil disturbance in gardens, forests, farms, and orchards to build soil, capture carbon, and assist mycelial integrity and relationships; and gathering and growing edible mushrooms. In refreshing contrast to the pared-down utilitarianism of many books in the genre, Phillips’s poetic, conversational, rambling, humorous writing encourages readers to settle in for a thoughtful read. Organic, biodynamic, and permaculture practitioners will value this book, but Phillips writes for a general readership too.” “Mycorrhizal Planet isn’t just a book about wild-running fungi. It covers in great detail all the benefits, scientific research, and technical information known about mycorrhizae. It also outlines methods of how to manage soils with the use of organic fertilizers, crops grown, and proper tillage to get the biology to flourish—including mycorrhizae. Because if a grower knows why, he or she will teach themselves how.”--Gary Zimmer, founder, Midwestern BioAg; author of The Biological Farmer“The world desperately needs the information in Mycorrhizal Planet! I am so glad Michael Phillips wrote this book. His approach is creative, inspired, and down-to-earth. A worthy effort with many useful practices laid out for all.”--Dave Jacke, coauthor of Edible Forest Gardens“I firmly believe that the next big advancement in organic farming is learning how to harness the power of soil ecology by replacing mechanical tillage with biological tillage. Mycorrhizal Planet is an awesome book because it not only describes the importance of respecting living soil dynamics, it teaches how to act upon it. The chapter on practical nondisturbance techniques is especially enlightening to any serious market gardener.”--Jean-Martin Fortier, author of The Market Gardener“How lucky are we to be alive and growing plants right now? The humbling interconnectedness and relationships realized through Mycorrhizal Planet will fill you with wonder and have you questioning your role in the garden, orchard, or farm. This is the manual for upping your growing game!”--Eliza Greenman, restoration orchardist and fruit explorer “Michael Phillips is an emissary from the fungal realm, and he’s here to tell us, through both study and practice, how our partnership with fungi is not only crucial but how it can be carried out practically on our homesteads and farms.”--Ben Falk, author of The Resilient Farm and Homestead“Mycorrhizal Planet offers fascinating science and practical ideas for gardeners, farmers, foresters—for everyone, in fact. Learning how we can work with beneficial soil fungi is deeply relevant, not only to support optimal plant health and nutrition but as part of a lasting climate change solution.”--Eric Toensmeier, author of The Carbon Farming Solution“In Mycorrhizal Planet, Michael Phillips takes us on a journey into the realm of cutting-edge soil science, while always maintaining a playful sense of passion, excitement, and levity. As deep as Phillips goes into sharing his immense knowledge of the mechanics of vibrant living soils and their role in plant health, he never loses sight of the bigger picture—that of regenerating the planetary ecosystem. To that end, he offers robust practical applications for agricultural enterprises of all sizes. The beauty of this timely and important book is that we now know not only how but why we must embrace and cooperate with the innate intelligence of the biological world as we develop the agroecosystems that will sustain us in the future.”--Scott Vlaun, executive director, Center for an Ecology-Based Economy“Mostland plants depend on symbiotic fungi in their roots—mycorrhizas—to help them to grow. Some, like orchids and many pines, depend on them absolutely. In fact, with no mycorrhizas: no land plants to speak of, and hence no land animals, including human beings. Like dung beetles and flies and microbes in general, root fungi are the largely unsung heroes of nature, cryptic creatures that make the world work. Michael Phillips’s Mycorrhizal Planet brings them centre-stage—where, despite their modest demeanour, they deserve to be.”--Colin Tudge, founder, The College for Real Farming and Food Culture“Mycorrhizal Planet is a thoroughly researched treatise on the impact of root fungi on the functioning of our biosphere. It is written in Michael Phillips’s usual unique, enjoyable, and easily readable style. It is a must-read for all individuals seriously interested in the quality of human life and future of our planet.”--George W. Bird, professor, Michigan State University“Mycorrhizal Planet awakens the reader to the interconnected, interdependent network of souls working on behalf of the earth right under our feet. The mycorrhizal fungi are our allies in promoting health for forests, orchards, and fields. Michael Phillips’s comprehensive scientific knowledge, along with an abundance of practical information for the grower, and a good dose of positive vibes for the future of our planet, make this new book one to add to your collection.”--Linda Hoffman, orchardist, Old Frog Pond Farm“Our knowledge of how habitat restoration and regenerative agriculture work—how they proceed or falter—is being renovated as we speak. A new sense of how symbiotic mycorrhizae shape plant establishment and succession has been slowly emerging over the last quarter century. In his new book, Mycorrhizal Planet, Michael Phillips weaves his own web of astounding connections regarding what holds this earth together. Not since Paul Stamets's pioneering inquiry, Mycelium Running, have we been blessed by such a synthesis that tells how symbiotic fungi are the true and most trustworthy stewards of this planet. With his usual genius of explaining complex science in ways farmers and restorationists can grasp, Phillips reminds us that those in Washington, DC, have never really ‘run this country,’ our fungal allies have.”--Gary Paul Nabhan, author of Growing Food in a Hotter, Drier Land“Let’s make soil great again. Michael Phillips and Mycorrhizal Planet have a plan. This book focuses on the tangible things you can do on the land you love to make it healthier and more productive. In forty years doing USDA research and producing mycorrhizal fungi, I have read and reviewed thousands of mycorrhizal articles. Michael Phillips gets it. Finally we have a mycorrhizal book that is entertaining, practical, and vibrant. We truly live on a mycorrhizal planet, and people who read this book will emerge with a profound understanding of how these little creatures shape our earth and our future."--Dr. Mike Amaranthus, founder, Mycorrhizal Applications“Fungi are not just decomposers, they are composers of soil and orchestrators of soil biodiversity. Mycorrhizal Planet pays tribute to the small and unseen, the uncredited collaborations beneath our feet, and Michael Phillips leads the tour underground for everyone with a warm and crafted writing style that anyone can understand and put to use. Mycorrhizal Planet offers readers a whole new dimension in propagating mycorrhizae, with cover crop considerations and noninvasive soil preparation techniques, and encourages readers to complete the loop by creating more balanced and efficient cultivation systems with the mental tools to harmonize almost any soil and plant condition. Distilled from other complex texts and real world experience, Michael Phillips delivers a gem when the planet needs it the most."--Tradd Cotter, Mushroom Mountain, author of Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation

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Book SynopsisGrazing management might seem simple: just put livestock in a pasture and let them eat their fill. However, as Sarah Flack explains in The Art and Science of Grazing, the pasture/livestock relationship is incredibly complex. If a farmer doesn’t pay close attention to how the animals are grazing, the resulting poorly managed grazing system can be harmful to the health of the livestock, pasture plants, and soils. Well-managed pastures can instead create healthier animals, a diverse and resilient pasture ecosystem, and other benefits. Flack delves deeply below the surface of “let the cows eat grass,” demonstrating that grazing management is a sophisticated science that requires mastery of plant and animal physiology, animal behavior, and ecology. She also shows readers that applying grazing management science on a working farm is an art form that calls on grass farmers to be careful observers, excellent planners and record-keepers, skillful interpreters of their observations, and creative troubleshooters. The Art and Science of Grazing will allow farmers to gain a solid understanding of the key principles of grazing management so they can both design and manage successful grazing systems. The book’s unique approach presents information first from the perspective of pasture plants, and then from the livestock perspective—helping farmers understand both plant and animal needs before setting up a grazing system. This book is an essential guide for ruminant farmers who want to be able to create grazing systems that meet the needs of their livestock, pasture plants, soils, and the larger ecosystem. The book discusses all the practical details that are critical for sustained success: how to set up a new system or improve existing systems; acreage calculations; paddock layout; fence and drinking water access; lanes and other grazing infrastructure; managing livestock movement and flow; soil fertility; seeding and reseeding pastures; and more. The author includes descriptions of real grazing systems working well on dairy, beef, goat, and sheep farms in different regions of North America. The book covers pasture requirements specific to organic farming, but will be of use to both organic and non-organic farms.Trade ReviewCHOICE- "This is a great book. After reading this work, the reviewer felt as if he could almost start his own grazing system; the title provides readers with the right questions to ask. Flack (a consultant on grazing and organic livestock) is a concise and articulate author and educator. She knows the value of telling a simple story and supporting it with relevant illustrations. She has an elegant style and knows how to use the power of repetition to show how no part of grazing management is wholly independent. She has biases with respect to the best grazing management, but is evenhanded in presenting multiple alternatives to grazing issues. Her case studies are aptly chosen to illustrate how the grazing management she advocates can be both sustainable and profitable. Each chapter plays a role and successively builds on the knowledge previously gained. As a manual for introducing good land stewardship, this book admirably succeeds. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers.”“I have long been fascinated by the logic of André Voisin’s system of Rational Grazing. Sarah Flack’s book has persuaded me that this could be a practical option for my own micro-dairy holding.”--Simon Fairlie, author of Meat“It gives me pleasure to recommend Sarah Flack’s The Art and Science of Grazing. Sarah offers sound practical information for management of pastures in humid environments. Her years of experience and study allow her to explain the limitations of rotational grazing that were first highlighted by Andre Voisin and to confirm the soundness of Voisin’s Rational Grazing.”--Allan Savory, president, Savory Institute“With feet firmly planted in both practice and science, Sarah Flack introduces pasture-based livestock production in a way that is sure to encourage and empower.”--Joel Salatin, author of Salad Bar Beef“The Art and Science of Grazing is a beautiful and highly useful book. Read it, learn how to manage pasture well, then do it! Sarah Flack’s good counsel can save your farm and family and bring you happiness. What else is there?”--Bill Murphy, author of Greener Pastures on Your Side of the Fence“Amidst the flood of information on modern grass farming, Sarah Flack performs nothing short of a rescue operation, distilling the art and science of grazing into an immensely useful book. Experienced hands will learn plenty, but newcomers won’t be overwhelmed. The Art and Science of Grazing is sure to become one of the most well-worn books on graziers’ bookshelves.”--Fred Walters, publisher, Acres U.S.A.“Sarah Flack has written a wonderful guide to sustainable grazing. She discusses fundamental principles and specific practices that make her book meaningful for anyone interested in the art and science of grazing.”--Fred Provenza, professor emeritus, Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University “More and more farmers and ranchers are thirsting for information on animal husbandry that truly protects and regenerates natural resources while enhancing economic viability. Sarah Flack is answering the call. In a readable, user-friendly format, her book provides concrete information and plenty of inspiration. An invaluable resource for anyone raising grazing animals.”--Nicolette Niman, author of Defending Beef“Sarah Flack’s The Art and Science of Grazing is an excellent guide for anyone with an interest in the regenerative potential of livestock grazing done right. Whether you are a farmer, rancher, conscientious consumer of meat, or concerned citizen of the planet, Flack’s clear, concise prose explains how good grazing is a natural fit in our world.”--Courtney White, author of Two Percent Solutions for the Planet“Intelligently managed grazing has tremendous potential to mitigate climate turmoil, and The Art and Science of Grazing contains everything you need to know to do the very best job of grazing. Sarah Flack explores every aspect of holistic pasture management in a most delightful manner that will help all who consult her book, from beginners to the most experienced graziers, to achieve their maximum potential in healing the Earth with livestock and land.”--Jack Lazor, author of The Organic Grain Grower“The Art and Science of Grazing is a comprehensive guide for new and experienced graziers. If I had to choose one book as a reference on grazing for both new and experienced livestock graziers, this would be it. The book is well organized, containing many excellent illustrations and beautiful photographs. Sarah Flack shares her knowledge on all aspects of grazing with emphasis on key principles that apply to all farms in humid regions. Multiple case studies provide interest and wisdom gained by farmers who have developed diverse, successful grazing operations throughout the country.”--Guy Jodarski, DVM, CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley

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Book SynopsisTable of Contents1. Groundwater: The Big Picture 2. Physical Properties 3. Principles of Flow 4. Field Exploration and Wells 5. Hydrology and Geology 6. Modeling Steady Flow with Basic Methods 7. Deformation and Storage 8. Modeling Transient Flow with Basic Methods 9. Computer-Assisted Flow Modeling 10. Groundwater Chemistry 11. Groundwater Contamination 12. Subsurface Heat Flow and Geothermal Energy Appendix A. Units and Conversions B. Mathematics Primer C. Book Internet site

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Book SynopsisI. Reactivity and Transformations of Mineral Constituents and Metals at the Soil-Solution Interfaces.- 1. Sorption Mechanisms at the Solid-Water Interface.- 2. Comparison between Bacterial and Chemical Dissolution of Al-Substituted Goethite. Incidence on Mobilization of Iron.- 3. Preparation and Thermodynamic Equilibria of Green Rusts in Aqueous Solutions and Their Identification as Mineral in Hydromorphic Soils.- 4. An XPS and AFM Coupled Study of Air and Bio-Oxidized Pyrite Surfaces37.- 5. Transformation of Iron-Containing Minerals in Kaolin during Growth of a Mixed Bacterial Culture Derived from Kaolin.- 6. Effect of Succinic Acid Produced by Microorganisms and Plant Roots on Copper Sorption by Soil.- 7. Interaction of Iron and Organic Matter in Relation to Its Uptake by Plants.- 8. Effects of Organic Matter, Iron, and Aluminium on Soil Structural Stability.- 9. Interactions of Mugineic Acid with Allophane, Imogolite, Montmorillonite, and Gibbsite.- 10. Aluminium Speciation, ToxicitTable of ContentsPart I: Reactivity and Transformations of Mineral Constituents and Metals at the soil-solution interfaces. 1. Sorption mechanisms at the solid-water interface; Ph. Behra, et al. 2. Comparison between bacterial and chemical dissolution of Al-substituted goethite. Incidence on mobilization of iron; N. Bousserrhine, et al. 3. Preparation and thermodynamic equilibria of green rusts in aqueous solutions and their identification as mineral in hydromorphic soils; J.-M.R. Génin, et al. 4. An XPS and AFM coupled study of air and bio-oxydized pyrite surfaces; V. Toniazzo, et al. 5. Transformation of iron-containing minerals in kaolin during growth of a mixed bacterial culture derived from kaolin; E.S. Shelobolina, et al. 6. Effect of succinic acid produced by microorganisms and plant roots on copper sorption by soil; T. Pampura, M. Ustinin. 7. Interaction of iron and organic matter in relation to its uptake by plants; A.M. Elgala. 8. Effects of organic matter, iron and aluminium on soil structural stability; M. Arias, et al. 9. Interactions of mugineic acid with allophane, imogolite, montmorillonite and gibbsite; S. Iridate, K. Inoue. 10. Aluminium speciation, toxicity and transfer from soils to surface waters in two contrasting watersheds exposed to acid deposition in the Vosges Mountains (North-Eastern France); O. Maitat, et al. 11. Ultrafiltration as a means to investigate copper resistance mechanisms in soil bacteria; I. Lamy, et al. Part II: Nature, Dynamics and Transformations of Organic Compounds and Enzymes in Soils. 12. Application of organicgeochemistry techniques to environmental problems; P. Faure, et al. 13. In situ ATR-FTIR characterization of organic macromolecules aggregated with metallic cations; F. Quilè, et al. 14. The structure of organic nitrogen in particle size fractions determined by 15N CPMAS NMR; H. Knicker, et al. 15. Polymerization: a possible consequence of copper-phenolic interactions; A. Oess, et al. 16. Effect of pH, Exchange Cations and Hydrolitic Species of Al and Fe on Formation and Properties of Montmorillonite-Protein Complexes; A. De Cristofaro, et al. 17. Adsorption and properties of urease immobilized on several iron, and aluminium oxides (hydroxides) and kaolinite; Q. Huang, et al. 18. The fate of acid phosphatase in the presence of phenolic substances, biotic and abiotic catalysts; M.A. Rao, et al. 19. Kinetics of catechol oxidation catalyzed by tyrosinase or &dgr;-MnO2; A. Naidja, et al. 20. Plant residue decomposition: effect of soil porosity and particle size; L. Fruit, et al. 21. The effect of humic substances from oxyhumolite on plant development; S.S. Gonet, et al. 22. Changes in some properties of humic substances from Melanudands induced by vegetational succession from grass to deciduous trees; T. Higashi, et al. 23. Characterization of the organic substances in reclaimed soils; L. Petrova, et al. Part III: Microorganism-Colloid Interactions and their Effect on Bioavailability of Pollutants and Nutrients in Terrestrial and Freshwater Environments. 24. Interactions between polychlorinated bip

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Book SynopsisAcross the world, the risks of wildfires are increasing and expanding. Due to past and current human actions, we dwell in the age of fire the Pyrocene and the many challenges and climate adaptation questions it provokes. Exploring our past and current relationships with fire, this book speculates on the pyro futures yet to be designed and cared for.Drawing upon fieldwork, mapping, drone imagery, and interviews, this publication curates 27 global design case studies within the vulnerable and dynamic wildland-urban interface and its adjacent wildlands. The book catalogs these examples into three approaches: those that resist the creative and transformative power of fire and forces of landscape change, those that embrace and utilize those forces, and those that intentionally try to retreat and minimize human intervention in fire-prone landscapes. Rather than serving as a book of neatly packaged solutions, it is a book of techniques to be considered, tested, and evaluated in a Trade Review"It’s no longer enough to live with fire. We have to live with a fire age. That requires new thinking, novel classifications, fresh metaphors and models, a vision of what can happen where fire, town, and country converge, so it’s great to see what landscape architects have to say. Design by Fire is a welcome contribution to an urgent problem." Stephen Pyne, ASU, author of The Pyrocene"Design by Fire is the essential guidebook and atlas for the pyro-future that is already here. Whether homeowner, concerned citizen, designer, or policymaker, you will find in these extraordinarily researched and illustrated pages a foundation for understanding – and living in – the world to come." Alexander Robinson, USC School of Architecture, author of The Spoils of Dust: Reinventing the Lake that Made Los Angeles"Design by Fire is a necessary book for all landscape architects and planners. The insightful interviews, succinct strategies, and emphasis on co-creative approaches structure the book, while the authors challenge us to grapple with current practices. They help us imagine a future in which reparations can bring traditional ecological knowledge to the forefront and imbue us with a culture of stewardship." Miho Mazereeuw, MIT, Director of the Urban Risk LabTable of ContentsIntroduction 1. Stewarding Change 2. Landscapes of Fire 3. Pyric Lexicon Approaches to Designing with Fire 4. Resistance 5. Co-Creation 6. Retreat Epilogue 7. Pyro Futures

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Book SynopsisDry areas suffer not only from limited rainfall but also ânatural leakageââ90% of rainwater is lost directly or indirectly, and is unavailable for agriculture or domestic use. Water harvesting is a low-cost, easy-to-use, environmentally-friendly way to recover a large part of this lost water. How does water harvesting work? Which sites or areas are best suited and how can these areas be identified? How to design, build and maintain a water harvesting system tailored to local needs? How can water harvesting contribute to combating land degradation, enhancing food security and adapting to climate change? This book provides the answers. The book is based on many years of research, training and development by three of the worldâs leading experts in water management and agriculture. It is authoritative, comprehensive, and easy to read, containing practical examples, many illustrations and little jargon. This volume will be of great interest to researchers, development worke

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Book SynopsisIn Cows Save the Planet, journalist Judith D. Schwartz looks at soil as a crucible for our many overlapping environmental, economic, and social crises. Schwartz reveals that for many of these problems—climate change, desertification, biodiversity loss, droughts, floods, wildfires, rural poverty, malnutrition, and obesity—there are positive, alternative scenarios to the degradation and devastation we face. In each case, our ability to turn these crises into opportunities depends on how we treat the soil. Drawing on the work of thinkers and doers, renegade scientists and institutional whistleblowers from around the world, Schwartz challenges much of the conventional thinking about global warming and other problems. For example, land can suffer from undergrazing as well as overgrazing, since certain landscapes, such as grasslands, require the disturbance from livestock to thrive. Regarding climate, when we focus on carbon dioxide, we neglect the central role of water in soil—"green water"—in temperature regulation. And much of the carbon dioxide that burdens the atmosphere is not the result of fuel emissions, but from agriculture; returning carbon to the soil not only reduces carbon dioxide levels but also enhances soil fertility. Cows Save the Planet is at once a primer on soil's pivotal role in our ecology and economy, a call to action, and an antidote to the despair that environmental news so often leaves us with.Trade ReviewPermaculture- Cows Save The Planet is a wonderfully comprehensive book, challenging some of the current popular theory relating to climate change and the mending of our damaged planet. Judith D.Schwartz has travelled to meet and interview an impressive mix of people, some well known names from around the world (Allan Savory, Christine Jones for example), and many who I have never heard of prior to reading her book. All, however, in some way, are undertaking a wealth of inspirational and essential work relating to healing the world's soil. At its core, Schwartz's work provides us with solutions and hope, for spiraling environmental and social destruction, through the rehabilitation of the earth beneath our feet. Each chapter of the book is a work in itself but there is also a natural flow and progression in the writing as Schwartz invites us to witness her journey, addressing climate change, loss of biodiversity, desertification, droughts, floods and human health. The new thinking and new understanding you gain from reading and then rereading Schwartz's work gives us motivation and determination to want to make some very real positive changes in our communities and lands. I can recommend it to all.""Here's a secret climate-change activists and energy-efficiency and renewable-energy promoters neglect: Nature is designed to be self-healing, and her most profound 'tool' is photosynthesis. 'Free' sunlight is the best energy source to extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, while also producing organic matter and oxygen—and a by-product is healthier soil, forests, wetlands, and ecosystems. When politicians, policy leaders, and activists get serious about cost-effective solutions to climate change, then a top priority will be ecological restoration to harvest and store carbon naturally, and Judith Schwartz's new book will provide a destination and map."--Will Raap, founder, Gardener's Supply and Intervale CenterForeWord Reviews- "Could it really be this easy? Improve soil fertility, preserve biodiversity, reduce obesity, and halt climate change by having more cows graze more land to help 'fix' more carbon into the soil? Well, solving the world’s problems may not be quite that easy, but journalist Judith Schwartz raises these and many equally intriguing questions in Cows Save the Planet: And Other Improbable Ways of Restoring Soil to Heal the Earth. Her book focuses on sustaining and improving the quality of soil, as well as the economic, environmental, and societal benefits we could realize by making that change. Around the globe, topsoil is lost at an alarming rate: up to 40 times faster than we’re generating it (in China and India, particularly). The consequences include a rapid increase in deserts, droughts, floods, and wildfires, not to mention a loss in the fertility of soil and the nutritional quality of food. The losses occur rapidly, but the solutions can work almost as quickly. The soil can be rebuilt from the bottom up, and nature can heal itself with surprising efficiency. For instance, undergrazing can damage the soil as much as overgrazing. study the historical movements of herds of grazing animals over the grasslands and plains of much of the globe, and adjust livestock and land management principles accordingly, the author suggests. Allow for the organic material, natural microbes, and insect life that facilitate plant diversity and soil enrichment. The resulting impact will be far-reaching and transformational on the land, climate, and crops. Schwartz refers frequently to the holistic management principles outlined by agriculturist Allan Savory, views that some consider controversial. Schwartz does not attempt to bridge the gap between these holistic ideals and current practices in the industrial food complex but instead grounds her view in narratives of earnest farmers and ranchers from Australia to Vermont who put these soil management principles into practice. A journalist who has written on marriage, therapy, and other diverse topics, Schwartz tackles complex topics such as the chemistry of the carbon cycle and photosynthesis and counters the myths about cows and methane with an accessible, conversational voice. Her study is lucid, enlightening, and often surprising. It is also an enjoyable, compelling read that will appeal to a wide audience, offering hopeful and creative solutions to some of the most daunting questions of our day."Booklist- "The earth beneath our feet is something most of us acknowledge is important for raising crops and nourishing lawns, yet few of us realize just how vital it is to our planet's overall health. Inviting readers to roll up their pant legs and wade with her into the dirt, veteran journalist [Judith] Schwartz reveals a wealth of detail about soil's beneficial properties and presents a compelling case that proper soil management can end escalating worldwide desertification and slow, or even arrest, global warming. While these assertions may sound surprising, Schwartz collects abundant testimony from leading-edge soil scientists and activists, such as noted Zimbabwe biologist and rancher Allan Savory, whose sophisticated sheep- and cow-herding methods in several countries have completely restored arid grasslands in less than a decade. She also highlights evidence from little-known studies demonstrating that soil restoration techniques can sequester about a billion tons of atmospheric carbon per year, potentially neutralizing damaging greenhouse gases. A well-written and persuasive manifesto for healing earth's environmental woes with one of its most underappreciated resources."“Judith Schwartz’s book gives us not just hope but also a sense that we humans—serial destroyers that we are—can actually turn the climate crisis around. This amazing book, wide-reaching in its research, offers nothing less than solutions for healing the planet.”--Gretel Ehrlich, from the foreword“Judith Schwartz takes a fascinating look at the world right beneath our feet. Cows Save the Planet is a surprising, informative, and ultimately hopeful book.”--Elizabeth Kolbert, author of Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change“In Cows Save the Planet, Judith Schwartz takes us on a fascinating, John McPhee-style journey into the world of soil rehabilitation. The eclectic group of farmers, ranchers, researchers, and environmentalists she visits have one thing in common: they all believe in the importance of organic matter in the soil for solving our most pressing environmental issues. Some of the innovative techniques they use to increase the vitality of their soil include no-tillage, using deep-rooted perennial grasses, cover crops, mulching, and, surprisingly, grazing large herds of animals according to a program called 'holistic management.' Imagine, a book about soil that’s a real page turner!”--Larry Korn, editor of The One-Straw Revolution and Sowing Seeds in the Desert, by Masanobu Fukuoka“Judith Schwartz reminds us that sustainable range management is as much about the microbes in the soil and their feedback loops with cattle as it is about the cattle themselves. When I finally go home on the range to be composted, I want to be part of the miraculous cycle of rangeland renewal that is managed in the way that Schwartz describes so well.”--Gary Nabhan, author of Desert Terroir, Kellogg Endowed Chair in Sustainable Food Systems, University of Arizona

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Book SynopsisHealthy soil is key to sustaining life on Earth. While more and more people are starting to see the need for soil restoration, there is very little understanding of just how it can be accomplished. There is a rapidly emerging demand for a “how to” manual for soil restoration. Dale Strickler is an expert on building healthy soil and restoring degraded soil, and in The Complete Guide to Restoring Your Soil, he presents the science of soil, along with proven methods of restoring depleted soil and agricultural practices from around the world that continue to build soil, rather than cause it to deteriorate. Strickler provides a solid foundation in the science of healthy soil, explaining how soil has become so degraded over time and the dire consequences for the human species, not just in terms of food scarcity but also the social, health, and environmental consequences of growing food in poor soil. He addresses the chemical, physical, and biological principles behind soil function, and presents actual farming practices that can be used to regenerate soil, techniques and strategies for remediating contaminated soil, and agriculture systems both past and present that functioned to build soil, such as the ancient chinampas systems of Mexico and the permaculture systems of today.

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Book SynopsisSediments and sedimentary rocks are fundamental to our understanding of the Earth and the array of environments that characterise its surface. Since some 70% of the rocks on the Earth’s surface are sedimentary in origin and sediments are of great economic importance, there is a very good chance that we encounter a sedimentary rock or an associated sedimentary process at some point every day of our lives. Introducing Sedimentology covers all the rudimentary aspects of sedimentology including different types of sedimentary rocks, sedimentary structures, and environments of deposition of sediments. The application of sedimentology in the search for valuable economic resources is explained and how sedimentary rocks play a key role for subsurface storage of carbon dioxide and hydrogen as part of the low-carbon energy transition. Written for students, amateur enthusiasts and professional geologists, Introducing Sedimentology provides a succinct and accessible introduction to the science of sedimentology. It is generously illustrated with many explanatory line diagrams and colour photographs.Trade Review'I cannot recommend Introducing Sedimentology highly enough. The book’s quality and standard are testament to the expertise of the author, together with the resourcefulness of the publisher in putting together the “Introducing…” series, which helps make what can be quite complex science accessible to the widest audience.' Gordon Neighbour, Geoscientist MagazineTable of Contents1. What is Sedimentology? 2. Sediment to sedimentary rock; 3. Sedimentary structures; 4. The sedimentary environments; 5. Fossils and sediments; 6. The riches from sedimentary rocks. Glossary. Further Reading.

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Book SynopsisThis collection reviews the range of research on understanding the mechanisms of soil erosion, as well as advances in techniques for measuring erosion. The book also addresses recent developments in mitigation strategies to reduce soil erosion such as zero/no-tillage, buffer strips and soil stabilisers.

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Book SynopsisSoil is a fundamental and critical, yet often overlooked, component of terrestrial ecosystems. It is an extremely complex environment, supporting levels of diversity far greater than any ecosystem above ground. Bringing together existing knowledge in the areas of soil biology and physics, this book explores the key characteristics of soil spatial architecture, including how it develops and the consequences this has for life underground. The effects of soil's physical and biological components on their interactions and functions are used to demonstrate their roles in ecosystem dynamics.Table of Contents1: Views of the Underworld: in situ Visualization of Soil Biota 2: Modelling Soil Structure and Processes 3: Microbial Regulation of Soil Structural Dynamics 4: The Zoological Generation of Soil Structure 5: Biotic Regulation: Plants 6: Biota-Mineral Interactions 7: How do the Microhabitats Framed by Soil Structure Impact Soil Bacteria and the Processes that they Regulate? 8: Fungal Growth in Soils 9: Sensory Ecology in Soil Space 10: Managing the Interactions between Soil Biota and their Physical Habitat in Agroecosystems 11: Contaminated Soils and Bioremediation: Creation and Maintenance of Inner Space 12: Biological Interactions within Soil Profiles Engineered for Sport and Amenity Use

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Book SynopsisSilt Sand and Slurry is a visually rich investigation into where, why, and how sediment is central to the future of America’s coasts. Sediment is an unseen infrastructure that shapes and enables modern life. Silt is scooped from sea floors to deepen underwater highways for container ships. It is diverted from river basins to control flooding. It is collected, sorted, managed, and moved to reshape deltas, marshes, and beaches. Anthropogenic action now moves more sediment annually than ‘natural’ geologic processes — yet this global reshaping of the earth’s surface is rarely-discussed and poorly-understood. In four thematic text chapters, four geographic visual studies, and a concluding essay, this book demonstrate why sediment matters now more than ever, given our contemporary context of sea level rise, environmental change, and spatial inequality, through a documentation of the geography of dredging and sediment on the four coasts of the continental United States. The book explores the many limitations of current sediment management practices, such as short-sighted efforts to keep dynamic ecosystems from changing, failure to value sediment as a resource, and inequitable decision-making processes. In response to these conditions, the DRC delineate an approach to designing with sediment that is adaptive, healthy, and equitable.

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsPart I: Introduction 1. Sustainable Agriculture and Environment 2. Agriculture, Society, Nature and the Environment 3. Sustainable Agriculture for Food and Nutritional Security 4. Sustainable Agriculture and Sustainable Development Goal 5. Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Biodiversity Part II: Management of Biophysical Resources for Sustainable Food, Health, and Environment 6. Management of Soil and Nutrients for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment 7. Water Harvesting and Management for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment 8. Carbon Management and Sequestration and Mitigation of Gaseous for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment 9. Management of Agricultural Pests for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment 10. Conservation of Biodiversity and Genetic Resources for Sustainable Agriculture 11. Recycling and Management of Agricultural By-Products Part III: Traditional Knowledge and Innovative Options 12. Ecological Processes in Sustainability of Agriculture and Environment 13. Use of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Resource Management 14. Re-designing and co-designing Farming Systems for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment 15. Alternate Farming Systems for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment 16. Urban and Pre-Urban Agriculture 17. Agroforestry for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment 18. Livestock – Crop Interaction for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment 19. Spatializing Crop Models for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment Part IV: Social and Policy Aspects of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment 20. The Economic, Social, Political and Institutional Context of Sustainability 21. Agricultural Policies and Sustainable Agriculture and Environment 22. Challenges, Constraints and Opportunities in Sustainable Agriculture and Environment 23. Education and Information Dissemination for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment

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Book SynopsisThis fourth edition builds on the success of previous editions and for the first time is produced in full colour throughout with improved photos and diagrams. It retains its popular pocket size and is an essential buy for all students working in the field.Trade Review"All in all, this is a fine and improved field guide for the geoscientist, befitting a fourth edition." (Environmental & Engineering Geoscience, 4 November 2012)Table of ContentsPreface ix Acknowledgements xi 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Tools of the Trade 1 1.2 Other Tools for the Field 3 1.3 Use of GPS (Global Positioning System) in Sedimentary Studies 4 1.4 Safety in the Field and General Guidance for Fieldwork 5 2 Field Techniques 9 2.1 What to Look For 9 2.2 The Approach 11 2.3 Field Notes 12 2.4 Graphic Logs 13 2.5 The Logging of Cores 19 2.6 Lithofacies Codes 20 2.7 Collecting Specimens 22 2.8 Presentation of Results 22 2.9 The Way-Up of Sedimentary Strata 24 2.10 Stratigraphic Practice 26 3 Sedimentary Rock Types 35 3.1 Principal Lithological Groups 35 3.2 Sandstones 38 3.3 Conglomerates and Breccias 44 3.4 Mudrocks 46 3.5 Limestones 47 3.6 Evaporites 59 3.7 Ironstones 63 3.8 Cherts 65 3.9 Phosphate Deposits (Phosphorites) 67 3.10 Organic-Rich Deposits 68 3.11 Volcaniclastic Deposits 70 4 Sedimentary Rock Texture 85 4.1 Introduction 85 4.2 Sediment Grain-Size and Sorting 85 4.3 Grain Morphology 89 4.4 Sediment Fabric 91 4.5 Textural Maturity 94 4.6 Texture of Conglomerates and Breccias 95 4.7 Induration and Degree of Weathering 97 4.8 Colour of Sedimentary Rocks 99 5 Sedimentary Structures and Geometry of Sedimentary Deposits 105 5.1 Introduction 105 5.2 Erosional Structures 105 5.3 Depositional Structures 111 5.4 Depositional Structures of Limestones (Including Dolomites) 145 5.5 Post-Depositional Sedimentary Structures 157 5.6 Biogenic Sedimentary Structures 172 5.7 The Geometry of Sedimentary Deposits and Lateral Facies Changes 187 6 Fossils in the Field 193 6.1 Introduction 193 6.2 Fossil Distribution and Occurrence 197 6.3 Fossil Associations and Diversity 202 6.4 Skeletal Preservation (Taphonomy) and Diagenesis 206 7 Palaeocurrent Analysis 211 7.1 Introduction 211 7.2 Palaeocurrent Measurements 211 7.3 Structures for Palaeocurrent Measurement 217 7.4 Presentation of Results and Calculation of Vector Means 220 7.5 Interpretation of the Palaeocurrent Pattern 222 8 What Next? Facies Identification and Sequence Analysis 225 8.1 Introduction 225 8.2 Facies Analysis 225 8.3 Facies, Facies Models and Depositional Environments 227 8.4 Cycle Stratigraphy and Sequence Stratigraphy 228 Recommended Reading 263 Index 270

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Book SynopsisThis textbook is aimed at the majority of students, who need to quickly acquire a concise overview of soil science. Many current soil science textbooks still cater for a traditional student market where students embark on three years study in a narrow discipline. The growth in modular degree schemes has meant that soil science is now often taught as self-standing unit as part of broad based degree program. Students pursuing this type of course are increasingly reluctant to purchase expensive textbooks that are too detailed and often assume a scientific background. For those opting to specialise in soil science there are a variety of good textbooks to choose from. This short informative guide, will be particularly useful for students who do not possess a traditional scientific background, such as those studying geography, environment science, ecology and agriculture. Only textbook to cater for introductory courses in soil science.<Trade Review"...It is rare that texts are found combining ease of understanding with a solid scientific foundation. The subtitle of this text 'a clear and concise introduction to soil science' does indeed sum up this book. Its clarity of production and focus on key aspects of science and human interaction make it a great guide for the beginner and a 'must-buy' for the library." British Ecological Society, Teaching Ecology Group Newsletter "I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to students whose course includes a module of soil science, and indeed recommend it to students on soil science degrees as a general introduction or a last minute revision guide." John S. Conway, Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester Table of Contents1. Rocks To Soil. 2. Particles, Structures And Water. 3. Soil Surfaces, Acidity And Nutrients. 4. Soil Microbes And Nutrient Cycling. 5. Soil Survey, Classification And Evaluation. 6. Soils And Agriculture. 7. Soil Contamination And Erosion

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Book SynopsisOribatid mites, also called beetle or moss mites, include more than 10,000 named species representing 172 families worldwide. This book provides an identification key to the 96 families, 250 genera and the c.580 described species for Canada and Alaska, a fauna that encompasses more than 50% of Northern Hemisphere genera. It includes known data on the ecology of species, their distribution in the Holarctic region, and relevant literature. Oribatid mites are model arthropods in studies on development, morphology, ecology, physiology, and biomechanics. Growing recognition of the importance of soil systems for agriculture, reclamation, carbon storage and climate mitigation has spurred recent interest in the vast soil biodiversity that provide these ecosystem services. Yet the major barrier to exploring and understanding soil biodiversity is lack of comprehensive and functional taxonomic and ecological treatments of key biotic groups; groups such as the oribatid mites. OTrade ReviewIt is said that each step one takes in any natural habitat is being supported by thousands of tiny legs of soil-dwelling arthropods. A major portion of these belong to oribatid mites, yet North American biologists never have had a resource that could take them from zero knowledge to species identification. Now they do – but this book is far more than an identification guide to an underappreciated group of diverse and fascinating animals. The experienced and knowledgeable authors introduce well-referenced topics that show how oribatid mites can help us address a vast range of biological, ecological and biogeographical questions.-- Roy A. Norton, Emeritus Professor and acarologist, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, USAThis book is an amazing work – impeccably arranged, both methodologically and in terms of content. It supplies a highly reliable and interesting collection of data on the taxonomy, ecology and geographic distribution of oribatid mites in all ecosystems of Canadian and Alaskan landscapes. The authors present an original interpretation of the high diversity, ecological importance, and natural causes of occurrence of these mites across many different ecosystems throughout the world. This book is unrivalled in the worldwide scientific literature in its field, and it will certainly meet with major interest, both in and outside Canada.-- Wojciech Niedbała, Emeritus Professor, Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Adam Mickiewicz University, PolandThis is a book I wish I had had available when I started working on oribatid mites. It is unique in providing a comprehensive compendium of all aspects of acarine biology, making it an ideal introduction that will serve as a treasured reference book for a long time, fostering a holistic understanding of these fascinating, but often understudied organisms. Bringing all these informations on form, function, phylogeny and distribution together in one comprehensible and concise collection will no doubt incite the widened interest and collaborative research the oribatida deserve. Many thanks to all authors for undertaking the effort to provide us with this invaluable resource.-- Paavo Bergmann, Department of Biology, Konstanz University, GermanyIt is said that each step one takes in any natural habitat is being supported by thousands of tiny legs of soil-dwelling arthropods. A major portion of these belong to oribatid mites, yet North American biologists never have had a resource that could take them from zero knowledge to species identification. Now they do – but this book is far more than an identification guide to an underappreciated group of diverse and fascinating animals. The experienced and knowledgeable authors introduce well-referenced topics that show how oribatid mites can help us address a vast range of biological, ecological and biogeographical questions.-- Roy A. Norton, Emeritus Professor and acarologist, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, USAThis book is an amazing work – impeccably arranged, both methodologically and in terms of content. It supplies a highly reliable and interesting collection of data on the taxonomy, ecology and geographic distribution of oribatid mites in all ecosystems of Canadian and Alaskan landscapes. The authors present an original interpretation of the high diversity, ecological importance, and natural causes of occurrence of these mites across many different ecosystems throughout the world. This book is unrivalled in the worldwide scientific literature in its field, and it will certainly meet with major interest, both in and outside Canada.-- Wojciech Niedbała, Emeritus Professor, Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Adam Mickiewicz University, PolandThis is a book I wish I had had available when I started working on oribatid mites. It is unique in providing a comprehensive compendium of all aspects of acarine biology, making it an ideal introduction that will serve as a treasured reference book for a long time, fostering a holistic understanding of these fascinating, but often understudied organisms. Bringing all these informations on form, function, phylogeny and distribution together in one comprehensible and concise collection will no doubt incite the widened interest and collaborative research the oribatida deserve. Many thanks to all authors for undertaking the effort to provide us with this invaluable resource.-- Paavo Bergmann, Department of Biology, Konstanz University, GermanyTable of Contents1. Introduction. 2. Form and Function. 3. Keys to Families, Genera and Species. 4. Ecology of Oribatida. 5. Diversity of oribatid mites across the Northern North American landscape. References. Index

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Book SynopsisEnvironmental Sedimentology provides a comprehensive introduction to this rapidly expanding field which addresses the functioning and dynamics of contemporary sediment systems and how these systems respond to a range of both natural and anthropogenically-induced disturbance events.Trade Review"This text covers a wide range of well-written and well-researched material that is presented to a high standard. The individual chapters are all well worth reading and present thorough coverage of concepts and debates relevant to the different environments in question.... Anyone who is interested in any aspect of sediment transfer will find something of interest in this book." (Geographical Journal, June 2008)Table of ContentsPreface. 1. Environmental Sedimentology: Introduction: Chris Perry & Kevin Taylor (Manchester Metropolitan University). 2. Mountain Environments: Jeff Warburton (University of Durham). 3. Fluvial Environments: Karen Hudson-Edwards (Birkbeck College, London). 4. Lake Environments: Lars Hakanson (University of Uppsala). 5. Arid Environments: Anne Mather (University of Plymouth). 6. Urban Environments: Kevin Taylor (Manchester Metropolitan University). 7. Deltaic and Estuarine Environments: Peter French (Royal Holloway, University of London). 8. Temperate Coastal Environments: Andrew Cooper (University of Ulster). 9. Tropical Coastal Environments: Coral Reefs and Mangroves: Chris Perry (Manchester Metropolitan University). 10. Continental Shelf Environments: Piers Larcombe (CEFAS, UK). Index

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Book SynopsisInvestigating the complex interplay between tectonics and sedimentation is a key endeavor in modern earth science. Many of the world''s leading researchers in this field have been brought together in this volume to provide concise overviews of the current state of the subject. The plate tectonic revolution of the 1960''s provided the framework for detailed models on the structure of orogens and basins, summarized in a 1995 textbook edited by Busby and Ingersoll. Tectonics of Sedimentary Basins: Recent Advances focuses on key topics or areas where the greatest strides forward have been made, while also providing on-line access to the comprehensive 1995 book. Breakthroughs in new techniques are described in Section 1, including detrital zircon geochronology, cosmogenic nuclide dating, magnetostratigraphy, 3-D seismic, and basin modelling. Section 2 presents the new models for rift, post-rift, transtensional and strike slip basin settings. SectionTrade Review“Both advanced students and professional geologists should have this book at hand.” (Geologos, 2012) Table of ContentsContributors vii Preface xi Part 1: Introduction 1. Tectonics of Sedimentary Basins, With Revised Nomenclature 3 Raymond V. Ingersoll Part 2: New Techniques and Modeling 2. Detrital Zircon U-Pb Geochronology: Current Methods and New Opportunities 47 George Gehrels 3. Terrestrial Cosmogenic Nuclide Techniques for Assessing Exposure History of Surfaces and Sediments in Active Tectonic Regions 63 John C. Gosse 4. Magnetostratigraphic Methods and Applications 80 Guillaume Dupont-Nivet and Wout Krijgsman 5. 3d Seismic Interpretation Techniques: Applications to Basin Analysis 95 Christopher A-L. Jackson and Karla E. Kane 6. Dispersal and Preservation of Tectonically Generated Alluvial Gravels in Sedimentary Basins 111 Philip A. Allen and Paul L. Heller 7. Source-To-Sink Sediment Volumes Within A Tectono-Stratigraphic Model For A Laramide Shelf-To-Deep-Water Basin: Methods And Results 131 Cristian Carvajal and Ron Steel 8. Modeling the Interaction Between Lithospheric And Surface Processes In Foreland Basins 152 Daniel Garcia-Castellanos and Sierd Cloetingh Part 3: Rift, Post-Rift, Transtensional, and Strike-Slip Basin Settings 9. Continental Rift Basins: The East African Perspective 185 Cynthia Ebinger and Christopher A. Scholz 10. Influence of Sediment Input and Plate-Motion Obliquity on Basin Development Along An Active Oblique-Divergent Plate Boundary: Gulf Of California And Salton Trough 209 Rebecca J. Dorsey And Paul J. Umhoefer 11. Active Transtensional Intracontinental Basins: Walker Lane in the Western Great Basin 226 Angela S. Jayko and Marcus Bursik 12. Post-Rift Deformation of The North East and South Atlantic Margins: Are “Passive Margins” Really Passive? 249 Douglas Paton 13. The Impact Of Early Cretaceous Deformation On Deposition In The Passive-Margin Scotian Basin, Offshore Eastern Canada 270 Georgia Pe-Piper And David J.W. Piper Part 4: Convergent Margins: Subduction And Collision, From Outboard To Inboard Settings 14. Sedimentation At Plate Boundaries In Transition 291 Kathleen M. Marsaglia 15. Evolution of Sedimentary Environments in the Subduction Zone Of Southwest Japan: Recent Results From The Nantroseize Kumano Transect 310 Michael B. Underwood and Gregory F. Moore 16. Modification of Continental Forearc Basins By Flat-Slab Subduction Processes: A Case Study From Southern Alaska 327 Kenneth D. Ridgway, Jeffrey M. Trop and Emily S. Finzel 17. Basins in Arc-Continent Collisions 347 Amy E. Draut and Peter D. Clift 18. The Pampa Del Tamarugal Forearc Basin in Northern Chile: The Interaction of Tectonics and Climate 369 Peter Nester and Teresa Jordan 19. Extensional and Transtensional Continental Arc Basins: Case Studies From The Southwestern United States 382 Cathy J. Busby 20. Foreland Basin Systems Revisited: Variations in Response to Tectonic Settings 405 Peter G. Decelles 21. Cenozoic Evolution of Hinterland Basins in the Andes and Tibet 427 Brian K. Horton 22. Basin Response To Active Extension And Strike-Slip Deformation In The Hinterland Of The Tibetan Plateau 445 Michael H. Taylor, Paul A. Kapp, And Brian K. Horton 23. The Betic Intramontane Basins (Se Spain): Stratigraphy, Subsidence, and Tectonic History 461 Jose´ Rodri´Guez-Ferna´Ndez, Antonio Azor, and Jose´ Miguel Azan˜o´N 24. Dynamic Relationship Between Subsidence, Sedimentation, And Unconformities In Mid-Cretaceous, Shallow-Marine Strata Of The Western Canada Foreland Basin: Links To Cordilleran Tectonics 480 A. Guy Plint, Aditya Tyagi, Phil J.A. Mccausland, Jessica R. Krawetz (Nee Rylaarsdam), Heng Zhang, Xavier Roca, Bogdan L. Varban, Y. Greg Hu, Michael A. Kreitner And Michael J. Hay 25. Structural, Geomorphic, And Depositional Characteristics Of Contiguous And Broken Foreland Basins: Examples From The Eastern Flanks Of The Central Andes In Bolivia And Nw Argentina 508 Manfred R. Strecker, George E. Hilley, Bodo Bookhagen, And Edward R. Sobel 26. Thrust Wedge/Foreland Basin Systems 522 Hugh Sinclair 27. 2d Kinematic Models of Growth Fault-Related Folds in Contractional Settings 538 Josep Poblet Part 5: Plate Interior Basins and Widespread Basin Types 28. Plate Interior Poly-Phase Basins 567 Cari L. Johnson and Bradley D. Ritts 29. The Great Grenvillian Sedimentation Episode: Record of Supercontinent Rodinia’s Assembly 583 Robert Rainbird, Peter Cawood and George Gehrels 30. Cratonic Basins 602 Philip A. Allen and John J. Armitage 31. Endorheic Basins 621 Gary Nichols Index 633

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Book SynopsisJournalist and bestselling author Kristin Ohlson makes an elegantly argued, passionate case for "our great green hope"—a way in which we can not only heal the land but also turn atmospheric carbon into beneficial soil carbon—and potentially reverse global warming.Thousands of years of poor farming and ranching practices—and, especially, modern industrial agriculture—have led to the loss of up to 80 percent of carbon from the world''s soils. That carbon is now floating in the atmosphere, and even if we stopped using fossil fuels today, it would continue warming the planet. As the granddaughter of farmers and the daughter of avid gardeners, Ohlson has long had an appreciation for the soil. A chance conversation with a local chef led her to the crossroads of science, farming, food, and environmentalism and the discovery of the only significant way to remove carbon dioxide from the air—an ecological approach that tends not only to plants and animals but also to the vast population of underground microorganisms that fix carbon in the soil. Ohlson introduces the visionaries—scientists, farmers, ranchers, and landscapers—who are figuring out in the lab and on the ground how to build healthy soil, which solves myriad problems: drought, erosion, air and water pollution, and food quality, as well as climate change. Her discoveries and vivid storytelling will revolutionize the way we think about our food, our landscapes, our plants, and our relationship to Earth.

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Book SynopsisThis new book, Sustainable Practices in Surface and Subsurface Micro Irrigation, offers a vast amount of knowledge and techniques necessary to develop and manage a drip/trickle or micro irrigation system. The information covered has worldwide applicability to irrigation management in agriculture. Focusing on both subsurface and surface micro irrigation, chapters in the book cover a variety of new research and information on:• Irrigation water requirements for tanier, vegetables, bananas, plantains, beans, and papaya• Irrigating different types of soils, including sandy soils, wet soils, and mollisols• New applications for micro irrigation using existing technology, such as meteorological instruments and MicroCAD• Meteorological instruments for water managementTable of ContentsForeword by Gajendra Singh. Foreword by Miguel Muñoz Muñoz. Foreword by R K Sivanappan. Foreword by Marvin J Jensen. Preface. Part I: Subsurface Micro Irrigation. Wetting Pattern Simulation of Subsurface Micro Irrigation: Part I, Model Development. Wetting Pattern Simulation of Subsurface Micro Irrigation: Part II, Model Validation. Micro Irrigation in Egyptian Sandy Soil: Hydraulic Barrier Technique. Micro irrigation Design using MicroCAD. Part II: Micro Irrigation Research Advances and Applications. Sustainable Subsurface Drip Irrigation in Australia: Vegetables. Mechanics of Clogging in Sustainable Micro Irrigation System. Water Movement in Drip Irrigated Sandy Soils. Crop Coefficients: Sustainable Trickle Irrigated Common Beans. Water Requirements for Papaya on a Mollisol Soil. Water Requirements for Tanier (Xanthosoma spp.). Water Requirements for Tanier (Xanthosoma spp.) on a Mollisol Soil. Water Requirements for Banana on a Mollisol Soil. Water Requirements for Banana on an Oxisol Soil. Water Requirements for Plantains on a Mollisol Soil. Sustainable Drip Irrigation Management: Plantain and Banana. Biometric Response of Eggplant under Sustainable Micro Irrigation with Municipal Wastewater. Appendixes. Index.

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Book SynopsisThis is a revised and updated edition of the highly successful first and second editions. In the intervening period the procedures used in the description of soils and rocks have continued to develop and evolve and this new edition incorporates changes in the international standards EN ISO 14688 and 14689 and those resulting in the national standard, BS 5930:2015 and the 2020 amendment thereof. Close comparison is also made with US practice in description (ASTM D2488) and classification (ASTM D2487). Significant changes in rock description are included – the reintroduction of the Approaches 1 to 5 for rock weathering; Approach 1 for description and Approaches 2 to 5 (Rock Weathering Working Party) for classification when appropriate and helpful. Also covered is the reintroduction of the 12.5 MPa boundary and the term moderately weak in rock strength description: a significant boundary in design in rock. The book continues to provide invaluable practical guidance in carrying out engineering geological logging of soil and rock samples and exposures in the field. The systematic and codified approach is laid out in detail to ensure the defined descriptors are used in a consistent format, rendering mistakes less likely and the necessary communication from field to design more successful. The procedures, techniques and tips within this book continue to serve and guide young practitioners learning their craft, but also their seniors and mentors, including responsible experts who sign off the logs and report on behalf of their company. More than ever, the need to be aware of current practices in order in order to avoid costly mistakes is paramount.Trade ReviewPraise for the 1st and 2nd editions - '...This is a very thorough book and is well-presented and printed, with clear tables, helpful thumbnail photographs and figures and text boxes containing tips and example descriptions. ... Buy this book'. Geoscientist -------------------- '...It is crammed full of tables, figures, photographs, all in an authoritative text. ...The pictures (worth a thousand words!) are invariably clear and helpful... ... it is a reference book ... an endless source of information'. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment -------------------- '...David Norbury is uniquely placed to write such a book. .... will help both the practitioner and their colleagues and clients benefit from objective and consistent descriptions. ...is essential reading for anyone involved in the technical aspects of site characterisation – whether for risk assessment or remediation'. JISCMAIL forumTable of ContentsPreface; Definitions; Introduction; History of description in codification; Systematic description; Description of materials; Relative density and strength; Structure, fabric and texture; Colour; Secondary and tertiary fractions; Geological unit; Weathering; Discontinuity logging; Discontinuity state recording; Low density soils; Anthropogenic ground; Classification schemes; Description process boreholes; Description process field exposures; Appendix; References; Bibliography; Index

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Book SynopsisThis book is unique in providing a comprehensive, up-to-date synthesis of what is known about soil biodiversity and the factors that regulate its distribution, as well as the functional significance of below-ground biodiversity for ecosystem form and function. It describes the vast diversity of biota that live in the soil environment - the most complex habitat on Earth - and discusses the factors that act as determinants of this diversity across different spatial and temporal scales. The Biology of Soil also considers how biotic interactions in soil influence the important soil processes of decomposition and nutrient cycling . It demonstrates how interactions and feedbacks between diverse plant and soil communities act as important drivers of ecosystem form and function. The importance of these relationships for understanding how ecosystems respond to global change phenomena, including climate change, is discussed in depth. Much is still to be learned about the soil biota and their rolTrade ReviewI recommend this book to soil ecologists across a range of expertise and to soil and environmental scientists who want to increase their understanding of the role of soil biota in ecosystem processes. * European Journal of Science, 58, 1213-1220 *Our understanding of how soils function is rapidly growing and this small, easily read book will bring everyone up to date, backed up by an impressive bibliography...as an introductory text it is excellent. Peter Thomas, Bulletin of the British Ecological Society 2006, 37:2... this book has immense potential as a core key teaching resource for instructing ecology students about the importance of soils and aboveground-belowground feedbacks. In addition to recommending this as a teaching text, I strongly recommend The Biology of Soil to any ecologist who does not actively work in soils and wants to learn more about their fascinating ecology. * Trends in Ecology and Evolution and Evolution *Table of ContentsPreface and acknowledgements ; 1. The soil environment ; 2. The diversity of life in soil ; 3. Organism interactions and soil processes ; 4. Linkages between plant and soil biological communities ; 5. Above-ground trophic interactions and soil biological communities ; 6. Soil biological properties and global change ; 7. Conclusions ; Bibliography ; Index

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Book SynopsisThis cutting-edge summary combines ideas from several sub-disciplines including geology, geomorphology, oceanography and geochemistry to provide an integrated view of Earth surface dynamics in terms of sediment generation, transport and deposition. Introducing a global view of fundamental concepts underpinning source-to-sink studies, it provides an analysis of the component segments which make up sediment routing systems. The functioning of sediment routing systems is illustrated through calculations of denudation and sedimentation as well as the response to external drivers; with the final sections focusing on the stratigraphic record of sediment routing systems. Containing quantitative solutions to a wide range of problems in Earth surface dynamics, it is suitable for graduate students as well as academic and professional researchers; and will enable an understanding of sediment routing systems.Trade Review'In this new book, Philip A. Allen has distilled a lifetime of insightful study of the Earth's surface into a wide ranging and rigorous synthesis of planetary sediment processes. Sediment Routing Systems is the first to use the idea of global sediment routing - 'following the sediment' - to provide a framework for synthesis across environments and scales, to integrate the source and sink sides of the routing system, and to link geochemical and particulate fluxes. It manages to do this in a quantitative framework that is carefully formulated, accessible, and perfectly pitched in clarity and detail. Sediment Routing Systems is a landmark and masterpiece; for many Earth scientists, it will be all they need in terms of global sediment dynamics.' Chris Paola, University of Minnesota'If reading the sedimentary record is the destination, then this book is a brilliant companion for the road, ranging widely from bedload to organic carbon and providing thorough detail on processes and methods at every turn. Philip A. Allen turns the sediment routing system from Pandora's box into a dynamic source to sink cascade.' Niels Hovius, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences'Sediment Routing Systems is the first complete, quantitative process-based account of sediment generation, transport and deposition in book format. In true style, ahead of anyone else, Philip A. Allen gives an extremely thorough, comprehensive view of all process aspects of source-to-sink systems. This book combines theoretical with practical aspects and will be an obvious choice as an advanced text book in universities and as a key reference book for professional geologists dealing with energy and Earth systems.' Ole J. Martinsen, Chief Geologist and Vice President, StatoilTable of ContentsPreface; Part I. A Global View of Sediment Routing Systems: 1. Sediment routing systems: first concepts; 2. The global character of river basins; 3. Global biogeochemical cycles; Part II. The Segments of Sediment Routing Systems: 4. The catchment-fluvial segment; 5. The continental shelf segment; 6. The deep marine segment; Part III. The Functioning of Sediment Routing Systems: 7. Denudation and sedimentation; 8. Dynamics of sediment routing systems; Part IV. The Stratigraphic Record of Sediment Routing Systems: 9. Sediment production, evolution and provenance; 10. Sediment routing systems and sequence stratigraphy; References; Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book presents an overview of plant physiology and the routes of contaminant uptake as well as the potential benefits and limitations of using soil amendments to enhance phytoextraction. While amendments can offer some benefits for contaminant removal from soil, their influence is often dependent on factors such as site conditions, contaminants present and plant species involved. Implementation of phytoremediation technologies, as with other remediation approaches, remains site-specific and therefore requires an understanding of these factors.

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Book SynopsisSoil nutrients are among the most important factors affecting plant growth and yield production as well as the environment. They are subjected to variations by different parameters such as climate, soil and plant. This book presents the effects of different parameters on soil nutrients by researchers and scientists from across the globe. The materials are suitable for students, researchers and scientists. A broad range of topics related to soil nutrients is covered in this book.

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisSoil nutrients are among the most important factors affecting plant growth and yield production as well as the environment. They are subjected to variations by different parameters such as climate, soil and plant. This book presents the effects of different parameters on soil nutrients by researchers and scientists from across the globe. The materials are suitable for students, researchers and scientists. A broad range of topics related to soil nutrients is covered in this book.

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Book SynopsisThis book is a compilation of information on airborne microalgae and cyanobacteria. This includes a survey of the literature, biology and ecology of airborne algae, mechanisms involved in their aerosolisation, the role of environmental factors in shaping the structure and composition of aero-algal communities, and information on methodological approaches used to study airborne algae. It also discusses the importance of airborne algae, including their ecological significance, as well as the role they could play in estimating the diversity and biogeography of different microalgal groups. Studies have shown that airborne algae may act as allergens. Since many reported airborne algae are known to produce toxins, they could also therefore be responsible for certain toxicoses. The book is intended to rejuvenate the academia''s interest in the above aspects of this fascinating group of microbes.

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Book SynopsisThe book Microbes in Soil and Their Agricultural Prospects is a collection of advantageous, informative, simulative and holistic viewpoints presenting basic and applied aspects of microbial functioning in soil. This book covers physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms of microbiomes pertaining to the production of available nitrogen (nitrogen fixation), phosphorus (P mobilization) and plant-growth promoting hormones for adaptation in agricultural soil. Responses between microbiomes and plants (known as plant-microbe interaction) corresponding to signal molecules and plant reactions to bacterial quorum sensing have been intricately presented as well. This book covers most of the agriculturally important microbes (Bacteria, Frankia, Burkholederia, Cyanobacteria, Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, Bacteriophages, Trichoderma). It addresses various issues in agricultural practices to make it more understandable for various levels of academia. Analysis of microbial diversity and advances in development of microbial fertilizers have also been incorporated to introduce young researchers with biofertilizer. This expert compilation of data analyzes most of the microorganisms supporting soil fertility and crop productivity that is of significant value for sustainable agronomic practices. It is invaluable not only for experienced scientists, research leaders, and agriculturalists, but also undergraduate, postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers beginning their careers. Each chapter in this book has been a contribution from a qualified teachers or researchers of multiple expertise. The chapters are concentrated on microbial metabolism and its agricultural prospects. Concerted efforts have been made to make a quality compilation and presentation of microbiomes in soil. A lot of common queries and practices have been addressed to make it more interesting as well. Microbes in Soil and Their Agricultural Prospects will certainly serve as an invaluable, suitable and sustainable resource for students, teachers, and various scientists interested in sustainable agricultural practices for production of healthy foods.

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Book SynopsisNatural ecosystems provide the basic conditions without which humanity could not survive. Goods and services provided by ecosystems include, for example, provisions of food, fibre and fuel, purification of water and air, cultural and aesthetic benefits, stabilisation and moderation of the Earth''s climate, generation and renewal of soil fertility, including nutrient cycling or maintenance of genetic resources as key inputs to crop varieties and livestock breeds, medicines, and other products. However, the ability of natural ecosystems to continue performing these services is seriously threatened since the diversity of plant species and soil are being seriously deteriorated and, in some cases, destroyed. Various studies worldwide have shown that soils do not support intensive annual plant cultivation without fertiliser applications, and even these may not maintain sustainability. Inappropriate silvicultural operations (or the use of land for intensive agricultural purposes) is one of the main causes of soil degradation, and there is therefore worldwide interest in quantifying the loss of soil quality generated by incorrect agricultural operations or forest management practices. This can only happen if people have the right information, skills, and organisations for understanding and dealing with soil and plant diversity issues. The book shows different studies and research works on the topic of soil management, such us soil degradation, microbiological soil properties, bio-fertiliser soil applications, water dynamics in soil profile, soil erosion and sustainability of soils among others. Transferring information and knowledge within the society is crucial for fighting soil management and soil deterioration. In addition, promoting the sustainable use of soil quality will be of growing importance for maintaining society and biodiversity in the years and decades to come.

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of the bestselling Waterfalls of Nova Scotia.Benoit Lalonde travels to the bountiful sights of Nova Scotia’s most fabled island in Waterfalls of Cape Breton Island.What Cape Breton Island lacks in size, it makes up for in the number, diversity, and sheer drama of its waterfalls. Bringing together one hundred of the Island’s greatest waterfalls and hidden gems from the Fleur de Lys, Marconi, Bras d’Or Ceilidh, and Cabot trails, this new guide explores iconic and little-known falls from all parts of the Island, including Uisge Bàn Falls and the tallest waterfall in Nova Scotia, Rocky Brook Falls. And yes, each entry includes useful information on the hiking distance to each waterfall, the best seasons to visit, the source, and the height of the fall itself.Complimented by gorgeous colour photographs, full-colour maps, and bonus features, Waterfalls of Cape Breton Island is an invaluable reference for explorers and outdoor enthusiasts.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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