Soil Health on the Farm, Ranch, and in the Garden

This book explores the importance of soil health in croplands, rangelands, pasturelands, and gardens, and presents new methods and technologies for assessing soil dynamics and health in these different land types. Through perspectives of agriculture, soil management, and ecological sustainability, the book provides accurate and up-to-date information on soil health assessment and maintenance that is often missing from current literature on conservation and environmental management and preservation. The book is written in a clear and concise format, and will appeal to non-scientists interested in soil health, as well as professional farmers, ranchers and gardeners.
The book begins by discussing soil health from a historical perspective, and in terms of how it is covered in the news currently. Then the author addresses the ecological implications of soil health in farming, ranching and gardening, and comprehensively details the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil as they apply in various land types. The book then examines soil health assessment using new diagnostic and analytic technologies, and how these new innovations will be necessary going forward to maintain and improve soil health.

Introduces new science and technologies on the ecological intricacies of soil dynamics and health for different land uses Explores the importance of soil health in croplands, rangelands, pasturelands, and gardens Presents information in an accessible manner for an audience of non-scientists and professionals interested in soil health

Autorentext

Dr. Kenneth E. Spaeth Jr. is a Plant-Soil Scientist for the United States Department of Agriculture. His career has included working with landowners and agencies on conservation planning and application, development of erosion prediction technology, hydrology research, ecological site technology, and data analysis of National Resource Inventory data.

Inhalt

Chapter1. Taming the Land, A Historical Perspective.- Chapter2. The Ecological Connection in Farming, Ranching, and Gardening.- Chapter3. Hydrology and Erosion Processes.- Chapter4. Cover Crop Dynamics on Hydrology and Erosion.- Chapter5. Vegetation Effects on Hydrology and Erosion: Grazinglands.- Chapter6. Organic Matter: The Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth.- Chapter7. Soil-Hydrology-Plant Assessment Technologies for Cropland, Rangeland, Pastureland, and Gardens.