Includes bibliographical references.

The soils around us -- Formation of soils from parent materials -- Soil classification -- Soil architecture and physical properties -- Soil water: characteristics and behavior -- Soil and the hydrologic cycle -- Soil aeration and temperature -- Soil colloids: seat of soil chemical and physical activity -- Soil acidity -- Soils of dry regions: alkalinity, salinity, and sodicity -- Organisms and ecology of the soil -- Soil organic matter -- Nitrogen and sulfur economy of soils -- Soil phosphorus and potassium -- Micronutrients and other trace elements -- Practical nutrient management -- Soil erosion and its control -- Soils and chemical pollution -- Geographic soils information -- Global soil quality and affected by human activities -- Appendix A. Canadian and FAO Soil Classification systems -- Appendix B. SI units, conversion factors, and periodic table of the elements.