A Handbook of Soil Terminology, Correlation and Classification

'Anyone who has to deal with soils and their classification, especially if they are involved in trans-national work, should have access to this book. Its primary function will be as a look-up table. However, users are urged strongly to read the extra chapters that explain how classification works.' P. Loveland, European Journal of Soil Science 'This is the most comprehensive and complete review of the state of the art of world-wide soil classification systems A real desk reference book for soil scientists, especially pedologists.' Prof. Winfried E.H. Blum, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria 'Do you know what Spodosol or Rendzina are? This is an invaluable review of soil classification systems and terminology as used in a number of countries. It also reviews efforts for a correlative World Reference Base of Soil Resources (WRB) in addition to the more detailed USDA-sponsored Soil Taxonomy (ST).' Prof. (emer.) Dan H. Yaalon, Hebrew University, Israel 'Soil classification systems are more varied than those of other natural objects such as rocks and plants. This book unravels the diversity and idiosyncracies of the world's multitudinous soil classifications, both scientific and cultural. It reveals overt and cryptic commonalities and structures within them, and points the way towards a more united future.' Prof. Alex. McBratney, The University of Sydney, Australia 'The most comprehensive inventory of soil classification and correlation systems in the world, this book provides a full overview of the rich diversity of global soil resources and their naming and classification conventions; proving once again, that soil types are a strictly local reality deeply rooted in the cultural and historical context of their locations.' Luca Montanarella, Land Management/ SOIL Action Unit, European Commission `The classification of soils . . . is nightmare stuff . . . so much jargon . . . and such complexity'; so wrote an eminent environmental scientist recently. The editors of this book dispel the mystery with charm and understanding while retaining the technical detail. They provide the keys to our Tower of Babel by matching the soil names in local schemes of classification to the World Reference Base for Soil Resources. The book will prove valuable to all pedologists and especially to those who have to communicate across national borders.' R. Webster, Rothamsted Research, UK '...provided an excellent insight to our current understanding of soil classification problems and diverse theoretical and practical solutions for designing soil taxonomies' Arid Land Research and Management, 2010.