Principles of Soil Conservation and Management


Book Description

“Principles of Soil Management and Conservation” comprehensively reviews the state-of-knowledge on soil erosion and management. It discusses in detail soil conservation topics in relation to soil productivity, environment quality, and agronomic production. It addresses the implications of soil erosion with emphasis on global hotspots and synthesizes available from developed and developing countries. It also critically reviews information on no-till management, organic farming, crop residue management for industrial uses, conservation buffers (e.g., grass buffers, agroforestry systems), and the problem of hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico and in other regions. This book uniquely addresses the global issues including carbon sequestration, net emissions of CO2, and erosion as a sink or source of C under different scenarios of soil management. It also deliberates the implications of the projected global warming on soil erosion and vice versa. The concern about global food security in relation to soil erosion and strategies for confronting the remaining problems in soil management and conservation are specifically addressed. This volume is suitable for both undergraduate and graduate students interested in understanding the principles of soil conservation and management. The book is also useful for practitioners, extension agents, soil conservationists, and policymakers as an important reference material.




Physics and Modelling of Wind Erosion


Book Description

Wind erosion occurs in many arid, semiarid and agricultural areas of the world. It is an environmental process in?uenced by geological and climatic variations as well as human activities. In general, wind erosion leads to land degradation in agricultural areas and has a negative impact on air quality. Dustemissiongeneratedbywinderosionisthelargestsourceofaerosolswhich directly or indirectly in?uence the atmospheric radiation balance and hence global climatic variations. Strong wind-erosion events, such as severe dust storms, may threaten human lives and cause substantial economic damage. The physics of wind erosion is complex, as it involves atmospheric, soil and land-surface processes. The research on wind erosion is multidisciplinary, covering meteorology, ?uid dynamics, soil physics, colloidal science, surface soil hydrology, ecology, etc. Several excellent books have already been written about the topic, for instance, by Bagnold (1941, The Physics of Blown Sand and Desert Dunes), Greeley and Iversen (1985, Wind as a Geological P- cess on Earth, Mars, Venus and Titan), Pye (1987, Aeolian Dust and Dust Deposits), Pye and Tsoar (1990, Aeolian Sand and Sand Dunes). However, considerable progress has been made in wind-erosion research in recent years and there is a need to systematically document this progress in a new book.




Mechanics of Wind Erosion


Book Description




Prevention and Management of Soil Erosion and Torrential Floods


Book Description

Soil erosion and torrential floods, as destructive processes, have serious implications on the economy, society, and environment. The severity of torrential floods lies in their sudden occurrence and high intensity, and hence, the defense against torrential floods is very complex and demanding. Much remains to be discovered about soil erosion and torrential floods prevention, management, legislation, practices, and solutions worldwide. Thus, a better understanding of various prevention and management developments on soil erosion and torrential floods across different contexts is needed to assess their impact on sustainability, especially in the changed climate conditions. Prevention and Management of Soil Erosion and Torrential Floods investigates the problems of erosion and torrential floods and opportunities for the prevention, management, and control of these destructive processes. It highlights the importance of the prevention and management practices of soil erosion and torrential floods with respect to the exchange of knowledge and best practices. Covering topics such as dam maintenance, wind erosion, and natural disasters, it is ideal for environmentalists, environmental engineers, crisis response specialists, policymakers, government officials, academicians, students, experts, practitioners, and researchers in the fields of soil erosion, torrential flood, environmental protection, sustainable development, engineering, and management.




Soil Erosion by Wind


Book Description







Physics of Desertification


Book Description

Deserts are parts of the Earth that receive little or no rain; 25 cm or less per year. The physical processes that act upon these parched lands are vastly different from those that shape the more humid parts of the terrestrial landmasses. In the desert, wind is a major agent of erosion and transportation. As the results of recent space missions have indicated, this is also true in the case of the planet Mars. Thus, our understanding of desert processes sheds light on fundamental planetary processes that may apply on any planetary body that is enveloped by a windy atmosphere. An understanding of the physical layout of arid lands, and the nature of processes that initiate changes therein is also fundamental to thoughtful utilization of these lands for the benefit of mankind. It is with this in mind that we prepared this book for publication. We believe that the collection of articles in this book will be useful to scientists who are interested in desert landforms and processes, and to planners of economic develop ment of arid lands. The book also serves as a guide for students as to the state of our knowledge in this field as well as to the topics that require additional research.




Wind Erosion and Its Control


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Soil Erosion by Wind


Book Description




Soil Erosion


Book Description

Concentrates on the application of erosion principles to erosion control, combining the perspectives of the geomorphologist and agricultural engineer. Covers mechanics and processes of soil erosion, methods of measurement and laboratory and field experimentation, approaches to erosion modelling, and implications of these to practical control. Treats water and wind erosion in depth.