Soils and food security
By: editors, R.E. Hester and R.M. Harrison
Series: Issues in environmental science and technology -- 35; Issues in environmental science and technology -- 35.
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Cambridge
Language: eng
Format: [electronic resource] /
Number of pages: 231
ISBN-13: 9781849735438; 9781849734264
Subjects: Soils; Food security; Quality; TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Agriculture / Agronomy / Soil Science
Description: Soil is essential to agriculture and a resource that cannot be replaced easily. Nevertheless, its importance to food production and the threats to its sustainability are ofter overlooked.

This book, the 35th volume of Issues in Environmental Science and Technology, examines the current status of soils across the globe and their potential for food production to meet the needs of the world's population in the 21st Century. Threats, such as the degradation, pollution and erosion of soil are discussed, along with the possible consequences of climate change for soil and food production.

As an ecosystem service, soil also serves to capture nutrients and sequester carbon, and these issues are discussed in the context of adding value to soil protection. The influence of modern agricultural techniques in enhancing soil productivity is also discussed. Throughout the book case studies support the discussion.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.
Table of contents: title: Soils and food security: challenges and opportunities / Peter J. Gregory; title: Global soils: preserving the capacity for food production / Luca Montanarella; title: Soil natural capital and ecosystem service delivery in a world of global soil change / David A. Robinson, ... [et al.]; title: The evaluation and reporting of soils in sustainable agriculture and food systems / Alfred E. Hartemink, Amanda L. Raster and Molly J. Jahn; title: Agrobiodiversity and potential use for enhancing soil health in tropical soils of Africa / Fredrick O. Ayuke, ... [et al.]; title: Organic matter availability and management in the context of integrated soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa / B. Vanlauwe; title: Climate change and forest dynamics: a soils perspective / Wendy Peterman and Dominique Bachelet; title: Plant nutrients / David A. C. Manning; title: Soil physical degradation: threats and opportunities to food security / Paul D. Hallet, Kenneth W. Loades and Julia Krümmelbein.