 |
Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 4, Physical Methods
FOREWORD
As the primary source of food and fiber and major interface with the
environment, soil is the reservoir on which most life on earth depends.
Soil science has provided us with a basic understanding of the physical,
chemical, and biological properties and processes essential to ecosystem
integrity and function. This knowledge has promoted our understanding
of the importance of soils in enhancing human and ecosystem health through
production of sufficient food and controlling the transport of soil and
potentially toxic substances in the environment. Never before have we
had such a technologically advanced set of tools for addressing the needs
of humanity and the earth.
The editors and 125 contributors to Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 4.
Physical Methods have done an excellent job in expanding the scope and
comprehensive nature of the original Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 1.
Physical and Mineralogical Methods. Consultation with 19 resource experts
in development of the book has ensured a high level of quality and inclusion
of state-of-the-art methods. Newer methods have been added and the scope
of the book expanded to keep pace with a broader evolving group of hydrologists,
geologists, environmental scientists, soil chemists, and microbiologists
interested in transport of pesticides, chemicals, and microorganisms
and use of remote sensing procedures to assess large-scale geochemical
processes. The first chapter in the book deals with soil sampling and
innovative statistical procedures, highlighting the fact that this book
includes more emphasis on handling data once it has been collected and
inclusion of the implications of different methods. This work will undoubtedly
join the ranks of the previously internationally successful soil methods
monographs and become a standard item on the bookshelves of most soil
and earth scientists.
This work moves us another step forward in our journey to “Sustain
Earth and Its People” by providing a basic foundation upon which
we can translate our science into practice.
JOHN W. DORAN
President
Soil Science Society of America
Citation:
- Dane, J.H., and Topp, G.C., eds., 2002, Methods
of Soil Analysis, Part 4, Physical Methods: Madison, WI, Soil Science
Society of America,
Soil Science Society of America Book Series Number 5, ISBN 0-89118-810-X,
1692 p.
Published here with permission from the Soil
Science Society of America More Information
|
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey