The Handbook of Soil Science provides a resource rich in data that gives professional soil scientists, agronomists, engineers, ecologists, biologists, naturalists, and their students a handy reference about the discipline of soil science. This handbook serves professionals seeking specific, factual reference information. Each subsection includes a description of concepts and theories; definitions; approaches; methodologies and procedures; tabular data; figures; and extensive references.
"This publication describes the procedures for the Global and National Soils and Terrain Digital Databases (SOTER) for producing digitized map units and their attribute data. It explains how to delineate areas with a specific set of soil and terrain characteristics and how to construct an attribute database with specific information on landform, terrain and soil components which can be complemented by data on land-related characteristics such as land use, natural vegetation and climate. The main function of the SOTER approach is to store data at national and global scales ... for improved thematic mapping and monitoring of soil and terrain resources."--Page 4 of cover.
This book is about applications of remote sensing techniques in the studies on soils. In pursuance of the objective, the book initially provides an introduction to various elements and concepts of remote sensing, and associated technologies , namely Geographic Information System (GIS), Global Positioning System (GPS) in chapter-1. An overview of the sensors used to collect remote sensing data and important Earth observation missions is provided in chapter-2. The processing of satellite digital data (geometric and radiometric corrections, feature reduction, digital data fusion, image enhancements and analysis) is dealt with in Chapter-3. In the chapter to follow the interpretation of remote sensing data , very important and crucial step in d eriving information on natural resources including soils resources, is discussed. An introduction to soils as a natural body with respect to their formation, physical and chemical properties used during inventory of soils, and soil classification is given in Chapter-5.The spectral response patterns of soils including hyperspectral characteristics -fundamental to deriving information on soils from spectral measurements, and the techniques of soil resources mapping are discussed in chapter-6 and -7,respectively. Furthermore, the creation of digital soil resources database and the development of soil information systems, a very important aspect of storage and dissemination of digital soil data to the end users are discussed in ch.apter-8. Lastly, the applications of remote sensing techniques in soil moisture estimation and soil fertility evaluation are covered in chapter-9 and -10, respectively.
Since water sustains life, effective management of water resources demands a holistic approach, linking social and economic development with protection of natural ecosystems. The effective management links land and water resources across the whole of a catchment area or groundwater aquifer. The Workshop addressed the broader issues of water management in the context of land use and the environment and within the framework of river basin management. More specifically, the Workshop dealt with: defining land and water linkages; developing a conceptual framework to predict land, water and plant nutrient interaction; establishing a landscape and river basin approach to integrated management of natural resources; and drafting a programme of action including applied research and modelling, education, extension and manuals and field projects aimed at promoting integrated management of natural resources. This publication contains the report and recommendations of the Workshop and edited versions of eight papers which were presented and discussed in the Workshop.
This book offers an overview of geospatial technologies in land resources mapping, monitoring and management. It consists of four main sections: geospatial technologies - principles and applications; geospatial technologies in land resources mapping; geospatial technologies in land resources monitoring; and geospatial technologies in land resources management. Each part is divided into detailed chapters that include illustrations and tables. The authors, from leading institutes, such as the ICAR-NBSS&LUP, IIT-B, NRSC, ICRISAT, share their experiences and offer case studies to provide advanced insights into the field. It is a valuable resource for the scientific and the teaching community, extension scientists at research institutes and agricultural universities/colleges as well as those involved in planning and managing land resources for sustainable agriculture and livelihood security.
Tropical ecosystems - the regions between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn - play an important role in global processes, economic issues, and political concerns. In their natural state, tropical ecosystems support a large quantity of above- and below-ground biomass, and constitute a major part of the terrestrial carbon pool. Conversion of the natural ecosystem to agriculture and forestry ecosystems disturbs this ecological balance. Global Climate Change and Tropical Ecosystems presents data on carbon pool fluxes from case studies in 12 countries in tropical regions. The chapters cover: Characteristics of tropical ecosystems Soil and biotic carbon pools Impacts of land use and soil management Slash-and-burn practices Crop residue and fertility management This volume adds to the understanding of pedospheric processes in tropical ecosystems and how to better use soils as a sink for carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. With Global Climate Change and Tropical Ecosystems you will understand the link between soil productivity, environmental quality and the global carbon cycle, not only in these ecologically sensitive regions but worldwide.