Elements of the Nature and Properties of Soils, 4th edition

Elements of the Nature and Properties of Soils is an accessible introduction to soil science fundamentals. It has been at the forefront of soil science for over a century and remains a valuable resource for meeting today's environmental challenges. The authors contend that it's necessary to have a deep understanding of soils to balance economic growth with sustainable economies. They consider the role of soils as both a natural resource and an ecosystem, while highlighting interactions between soils and other components of natural and constructed ecosystems.

The 4th Edition has been abridged to focus on fundamentals. It has new or updated discussions on topics such as organic farming, soil food-web ecology, and soils and human health.