Advances in Soil Science: Volume 14 - Couverture souple

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 146127978X ISBN 13 : 9781461279785

Editeur : Springer, 2011

Synopsis

The study of soils today has taken on increased importance because a rapidly expanding population is placing demands on the soil never before experienced. This has led to an increase in land degradation. Land degradation is one of the most severe problems facing mankind. Volume 11 of Advances in Soil Science was devoted entirely to this critical area of soil science. From the beginning of agriculture until about 1950, increased food production came almost entirely from expanding the cropland base. Since 1950, however, the yield per unit of land area for major crops has increased dramatically. Much of the increase in yields was because of increased inputs of energy. Between 1950 and 1985, the farm tractor fleet quadrupled, world irrigated area tripled, and use of fertilizer increased ninefold. Between 1950 and 1985, the total energy used in world agriculture increased 6. 9 times. Until recently, sustainability was seldom, if ever, mentioned in agricultural literature. Now, it is one of the most widely used terms. The high costs ofirriga- tion development, escalating energy costs during the 1970s, public concern over potential negative impacts of fertilizer and pesticides on water supplies, soil ero- sion, soil compaction and salinity problems, and other concerns have caused many people to question whether many of the present agriculture systems can be sustained. As a result, soil science is beginning to focus more on sustaining the resource base.

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

With the expanding world population, the major concern just a few years ago was whether the world could produce enough food. Now in many countries agricultural productivity has risen to the point of providing chronic food surpluses while in other areas, notably Africa, food production lags far behind need. In either situation there is a growing concern over managing the soil resource. Concerns range from inappropriate deforestation to depletion to erosion. These concerns are resulting in a shift in research objectives. The need to optimize crop production while conserving the resource base has never been greater. This series provides a forum for leading scientists to analyze critically the information on a particular subject. Most importantly, contributors develop and identify principles that have practical applications to both developing and developed agricultures.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Springer
• Date d'édition: 2011
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 146127978X
• ISBN 13: 9781461279785
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 212
• Coordonnées du fabricant: Springer Nature Customer Service Center GmbH; ProductSafety@springernature.com; ; Europaplatz 3; Heidelberg; 69115; Allemagne