The Soils of China

This book adopts brand new and communicable international soil classification system which is different from any earlier books of this kind. The vast geographical extent and the long-term agricultural history have nurtured the long lasting Chinese civilization, in which soil use and management is essential to the sustainable development of the society. To feed the most populous country of the world and to maintain the ecological and environmental functions of soil resource, the better use and management of soil resources is critical and for this goal soil knowledge is essential. Moreover, the experience of sustainable use of soil resources in China is also valuable to the world. The long-term intensive soil use along with soil changes are excellent topics of modern soil-environmental studies. This is the first book in English language in the recent 20 years, covering fully the formation, genesis, classification, distribution, and use of the diversified soil resources in China. The major soil characteristics in relation to soil use and management, soil quality change, soil degradation are also presented. As a special book, it aims to use up-to-date research results and to provide a clear picture of soil resources in China, with new perspectives.