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by: Binkley, Dan; Fisher, Richard

ISBN: 9780470979471 | 047097947X

This book is about the soil that supports the world's forests. Forests can be viewed from a range of perspectives all of which are based on soils. Forest productivity is a story that centers on photosynthesis and plant growth, but plant biochemistry is supported by nutrient cycles that are essentially a soil story.

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Forest soils are the foundation of the entire forest ecosystem and complex, long-term interactions between trees, soil animals, and the microbial community shape soils in was that are very distinct fr... MOREom agricultural soils.    The composition, structure, and processes in forest soils at any given time reflect current conditions, as well as the legacies of decades (and even millennia) of interactions that shape each forest soil.  Reciprocal interactions are fundamental; vegetation alters soil physical properties, which influence soil biology and chemistry, which in turn influence the growth and success of plants.  These dynamic systems may be strongly influenced by intentional and unintentional management, ranging from fire to fertilization.  Sustaining the long-term fertility of forest soils depends on insights about a diverse array of soil features and changes over space and time. 

Since the third edition of this successful book many new interests in forest soils and their management have arisen, including the role of forest soils in sequestering carbon, and how management influences rates of carbon accumulation.  This edition also expands the consideration of how soils are sampled and characterized, and how tree species differ in their influence on soil development. 

Clearly structured throughout, the book opens with the origins of forest soil science and ends with the application of soil science principles to land management.  This new edition provides:

• A completely revised and updated Fourth Edition of this classic textbook in the field
• A coherent overview of the major issues surrounding the ecology and management of forest soils  
• Global in scope with coverage of soil types ranging from the tropical rainforest soils of Latin America to the boreal forest soils of Siberia
• New chapters on Management: Carbon sequestration; Evidence-based approaches and  applications of geostatistics, GIS and taxonomies
• A  clear overview of each topic, informative examples/case studies, and an overall context for helping readers think clearly about forest soils
• An introduction to the literature of forest soil science and to the philosophy of forest soil science research

This coherent overview of the major issues surrounding the ecology and management of forest soils will be particularly useful to students taking courses in soil science, forestry, agronomy, ecology, natural resource management, environmental management and conservation, as well as professionals in forestry dealing with the productivity of forests and functioning of watersheds.

Preface, ix

Acknowledgments, xi

In Memoriam, xiii

PART I INTRODUCTION TO FOREST SOILS, 1

1 History of Forest Soil Science and Management, 3

2 Global Patterns in Forest Soils, 8

PART II COMPOSITION OF FOREST SOILS, 21

3 Soil Formation and Minerals, 23

4 Soil Organic Matter, 39

5 Water, Pore Space, and Soil Structure, 58

PART III LIFE AND CHEMISTRY IN FOREST SOILS, 75

6 Life in Forest Soils, 77

7 Forest Biogeochemistry, 99

8 Chemistry of Soil Surfaces a... MOREnd Solutions, 138

PART IV MEASURING FOREST SOILS, 157

9 Sampling Soils Across Space and Time, 159

10 Common Approaches to Measuring Soils, 175

PART V DYNAMICS OF FOREST SOILS, 189

11 Influence of Tree Species, 191

12 Soil Management – Harvesting, Site Preparation, Conversion, and Drainage, 213

13 Fire Influences, 235

14 Nutrition Management, 254

15 Managing Forest Soils for Carbon Sequestration, 276

PART VI THINKING PRODUCTIVELY ABOUT FOREST SOILS, 289

16 Evidence-Based Approaches, 291

References, 305

Index, 343