Better Manage Soil C for Improved Soil Quality

In the United States, soil has fueled the availability of abundant, safe food, thus underpinning economic growth and development. In the future we need to be more vigilant in managing and renewing this precious resource by replacing the nutrients and life-sustaining matter that we remove for our own needs. Taking these issues into consideration, Soil Carbon Management: Economic, Environmental, and Societal Benefits explores all of the advantages of effective soil carbon (C) management.

A Different Way of Examining Soil C Management

This unique resource provides a new conceptual framework to develop policies for managing and enhancing soil C and presents new approaches to achieve positive environmental outcomes. In each chapter, the book poses a problem or set of problems and then describes how effective soil C management can help to solve these challenges, listing the multiple benefits that arise from these practices. The book addresses specific problems such as soil erosion and land degradation and evaluates the advantages of soil C sequestration, specifically for policy development purposes. The policies discussed can be tailored to meet regional and local needs and constraints. The book also explains how to achieve an ideal environment by applying beneficial practices for farming and land management.

A Plan for the Future

Illustrating how to conserve and preserve soil quality for future generations and detailing how to restore the ecological functions of soil, this book will aid in the formulation of future agricultural policies that sustain food and fuel needs and have long-lasting, positive environmental impacts.

About the Author
J. M. Kimble, C. W. Rice, D. Reed, S. Mooney, R. F. Follett, R. Lal

Reviews

"... written by many authors from the USA, covers the problem, how to save soil quality for future generations and how to restore the ecological functions of soil. The authors discuss the new possibilities to develop policies for managing and enhancing soil carbon. ... presents new approaches to achieve positive economic, environmental, and social benefits due to good soil carbon management. ...The book is divided into three thematically related chapters. ...Data presented in this book are shown on clear figures and well-constructed tables. ...very carefully prepared and written in clear language. ... recommended for a broad audience, including scientists and researchers working in the field of soil science and agronomy. ... can help in the formulation of future agricultural policies which consider the soil as a precious resource needed to sustain food, fiber, and fuel needs. Also students, nonscientists, and farmers find this book very useful and inspiring."

-K. Hura and T. Hura in Acta Physiol Plant 2008

"... written by many authors from the USA, covers the problem, how to save soil quality for future generations and how to restore the ecological functions of soil. The authors discuss the new possibilities to develop policies for managing and enhancing soil carbon. ... presents new approaches to achieve positive economic, environmental, and social benefits due to good soil carbon management. ...The book is divided into three thematically related chapters. ...Data presented in this book are shown on clear figures and well-constructed tables. ...very carefully prepared and written in clear language. ... recommended for a broad audience, including scientists and researchers working in the field of soil science and agronomy. ... can help in the formulation of future agricultural policies which consider the soil as a precious resource needed to sustain food, fiber, and fuel needs. Also students, nonscientists, and farmers find this book very useful and inspiring."

-K. Hura and T. Hura in Acta Physiol Plant 2008

"Even though the book was targeted to policymakers, the overview of economic and societal benefits should provide researchers and others with valuable information not commonly reported in soil science research publications. I found the summary of federal, state, and private programs fostering soil carbon sequestration especially helpful. Overall, I count this book as yet another valuable addition to the series."

- Curtis J. Dell, in Journal of Environmental Quality, Sept 2008, Vol. 37, No. 5

Book Information
ISBN 9780367389109
Author John M. Kimble
Format Paperback
Page Count 280
Imprint CRC Press
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 453g