Features
- Cover Type: Paperback with 408 pages
- Published by: Academic Press
- Edition: 2nd Edition July 19, 2004
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 0121797260
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-0121797263
-
Book Dimensions:
8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
- Weighs: 1.4 pounds
Product Review
"This is a superbly crafted primer for anyone interested in the burgeoning field of soil ecology. It builds a conceptual framework and provides context for more in-depth analysis of the primary literature. It masterfully presents much of its information as figures and tables taken from primary literature, and provides just enough information to entice readers to seek more details from the original work. Coleman and Crossley blend their awesome wealth of experience, to present an historical perspective of the field as no other writers could. It is refreshing to read such a thorough and effective coverage of classic studies pertaining to soil ecology."
--THE QUATERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY
"This is an great primer for serious students. There are more than 500 references, most of which are either classics or recent good work. There are lots of interesting tidbits to keep the reader going. I enthused on about the merits of this book to a colleague who teaches soil biology, only to discover he has already used it in class, and was equally enthusiastic."
--Steve Sheppard in JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY --
Review
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Review
"This book is by highly respected authors on a very active subjectit will give an great education on soil organisms and their general behavior."
-P.B.H. Tinker, in EXPERIMENTAL AGRICULTURE, VOL. 41, 2005
"a very well written and organized book, with its major strength in stating the various topics as 'state of the art,' along with the authors' visions for the near future of soil ecology."
-Hector Causarano, Auburn University, in VADOSE ZONE JOURNAL, 2005
"This updated and expanded edition will be useful as a textbook for students of soil ecology and scientists doing research in this field."
-Northeastern Naturalist
"The writing is erudite, yet with a clear and easy style, sprinkled with anecdotes that make for an engaging readan great reference ."
- Keith Paustian, Colorado State University, in AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
"an eye-opener and a fascinating journeyThis clarity is to be appreciated by every academic teacher and makes it fun reading."
- ENVIRONMENTAL
geology "an great introduction to the field of soil ecology and is essential reading for any student or researcherI recommend this book strongly."
- Richard Bardgett, Institute of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Soil and Ecosystem Ecology Laboratory in
Bioscience"This book remains my choice of texts for students and would be recommended for anyone with an interest in soils" - John Dighton, Director,
Rutgers University Pinelands Field Station, U.S.A.
"[The authors] bring together the most recent information on soil science, soil zoology and ecology, in a comprehensive, well-written book." - Diana Wall, Professor and Director, Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, U.S.A.
"This book provides a balanced and comprehensive perspective on the multi-disciplinary nature of soil ecology." - Deborah Neher, University of Toledo, Ohio, U.S.A.
"Fundamentals of Soil Ecologyis a thorough, well-researched presentation of current trends in soil ecology. I highly recommend this book." - Thomas L. Thompson, Professor of Soil Science, University of Arizona
"Students and ecosystem researchers will gain a greater understanding of the central roles that soils play in ecosystem development and function."
- in BOIS & FORETS DES TROPIQUES, 2005
Reader ReviewsI just received a copy, and haven't had time to look through it completely, but I would highly recommend this book for any ecologists (particularly graduate students like myself) who are working with organisms that have any biological connection to the soil. Just looking at the number of pages, it's been updated and expanded quite a bit since the first edition. Chapter 4, on soil organisms, is big and relatively descriptive (with useful pictures). Also covers in significant detail microbial communities (Ch. 3), nutrient cycling (Ch. 5), soil food webs (Ch. 6), the relationship between biodiversity and soil (Ch. 7) and includes quite a few sampling methodologies. This book covers, but does not stress the plant-soil relationship (Ch. 2, only a little over twenty pages), which is nice since that information has been of greater historical focus and is covered well elsewhere, while this book's strength is on things that are not as well covered in the standard literature. Other books that cover similar material as this one would be Dindal's (1990) "Soil Biology Guide" (a classic, animal taxonomy-centered tome in this field) and Wood's (1989) smaller, more ecology-centered text "Soil Biology" (too much like this one to justify purchasing it now?). Coleman et al.'s emphasis on ecology makes this book stand out as a great reference.
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