STEM 2024 Summer Research Institute: Soil: Books in the Library

Logan meditates on a wide range of topics related to dirt, including the dung beetle, the compost heap, dowsing, historical farming, and microscopic biota.

Two-thirds of the world's biological diversity exists in soils and underwater sediments. Baskin discusses how air pollution, trawl fishing, timber cutting, introductions of invasive species and wetland destruction threaten this underground diversity.

A natural and cultural history of soil from ancient civilizations to modern times. A mix of history, archaeology, and geology that traces the role of soil use and abuse in the history of Mesopotamia, Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, China, European colonialism, Central America, and America. Discusses the recent rise of organic and no-till farming.

Sherman explains vermicomposting for mid- to large-scale operations, and shares what she has learned over twenty-five years of working with commercial worm growers and researchers around the world.

From the time of Aristotle until the late nineteenth century, many people believed in spontaneous generation, that living creatures sprang into existence from rotting material. Lehoux explains how spontaneous generation was perhaps the last stand of the ancient scientific worldview.

Textbook and reference guide with detailed glossary: includes soil classification systems, theory and processes of soil genesis, geomorphology, mineralogy, chemistry and physics. More than 550 figures and photos.

A-to-Z encyclopedia of policies, practices, conditions, and terms related to soil and/or water conservation. More than 700 entries suitable for beginners as well as experts. A ready reference source for researchers, extension agents, policymakers, academics, and anyone else concerned about soil and water conservation.

Reviews general properties of wetland soils, including hydrology, redox chemistry, organic matter dynamics, and biology. Provides examples of major types of wetlands across the United States and highlights USDA Hydric Soil Field Indicators. Evaluates wetland functions, methods of assessment, and restoration techniques. Describes how wetland soils form, and how to identify them in the field.

This book discusses the diversity and importance of soils around the world and helps the reader to understand the ways that soils are related to the landscapes in which they form.
Table of Contents
Soils in harmony with the environment -- Soils born of fire -- Soils born of water -- Soils of forests -- Soils of grasslands and rangelands -- Soils in extreme environments -- When the earth moves: Earthquakes, landslides and erosion -- Soils and humans -- Managing and caring for our soils -- Appendices.

The largest part of the world's food comes from its soils, either directly from plants, or via animals fed on pastures and crops. Thus, it is necessary to maintain, and if possible, improve the quality-and hence good health-of soils, while enabling them to support the growing world population. The Soil Underfoot: Infinite Possibilities for a Finite

(3rd edition). This book is widely cited as a reference for researchers in geoscience, agriculture, and ecology. Introduces soil within geoscience and chemistry, addresses the effects of global climate change on soil, and provides insight into the chemical behavior of pollutants in soils. Contains revised annotated reading lists and problem sets.