Amelioration Of Soil By Trees

Examines links between trees and soil fertility with particular reference to tropical soils.

Annotation. Successful agroforestry requires an understanding of the complex relationship between trees, crops and soils. This book provides a review of both economic and biophysical aspects of soil use and research in agroforestry, with an emphasis on nutrient-poor forest and savanna soils. Key topics covered include the economics of soil fertility management, cycling of water, nutrients and organic matter, soil structure, and soil biological processes. The book combines synthetic overviews of research results and a review of methods used in research.From the foreword: 2The book is written within a particular context - soil fertility development under agroforestry. At first this may seem very specific and thus limited in appeal and application. But over the last decade or so agroforestry research has been one of the most influential in developing new insights into soil biology and fertility and thus provides a very suitable framework for review of progress. Furthermore the influence of trees on soil is profound and of significance beyond agroforestry systems, so the book is likely to be of interest in the wider spheres of agriculture, forestry and ecological sciences.3 Mike Swift, TSBF, Nairobi, Kenya.

The most recent advances in research on coastal saline soil rehabilitation and utilization based on forestry approach are discussed. The forestry approach is emphasized rather than physical or engineering measures to ameliorate saline soils, which is significant for coastal environmental improvement and land resources expansion. The monograph is a useful reference for researchers using techniques of ecology, forestry and agronomy. Prof. Jianfeng Zhang works at the Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry. He has been working on afforestation in saline soils for over 20 years.

Soil Formation deals with qualitative and quantitative aspects of soil formation (or pedogenesis) and the underlying chemical, biological, and physical processes. The starting point of the text is the process - and not soil classification. Effects of weathering and new formation of minerals, mobilisation, transport, and breakdown or immobilisation of dissolved and suspended compounds are discussed. Soil processes and profiles are discussed in relation to the landscape, the geosphere, and the biosphere. Emphasis lies on the universality of soil-forming processes in past and present, and on the soil as a dynamic entity that forms part of the total environment. Complexity of genetic processes in time and space is given much attention. The text gives many examples from literature and places some in a new light. The reader is guided through the subject matter by a large number of questions and problems to help understand and synthesis the material. Answers to all questions are included. This second edition has been updated to reflect recent discoveries. Printing errors have been corrected, and new photographs support the text.

This publication sets out a comprehensive review of tree root biology and covers a broad range of practical issues that need to be considered in order to grow trees successfully in our towns and cities and to realise the significant benefits they provide in built environments. Topics covered include: soil condition and roots; improving tree root growth in urban soils; water supply and drought amelioration for amenity trees; coping with soil contamination; protecting trees during excavation and good trenching practice; control of damage to tree roots on construction sites; tree root damage to buildings and pavements, sewers, drains and pipes; research needs and sustainability issues.

This book deals with the development of irrigation in the subcontinent since the beginning of settled agriculture, and its possible connections with the occurrence of salinity and alkalinity in irrigated lands.

Palm Trees and Fruits Residues: Recent Advances for Integrated and Sustainable Management places the wastes of palm trees and fruit residues in the international context of sustainable development, providing sustainable applications that are detailed based on sector to help readers from specific fields identify applications. Furthermore, successful processing case studies using valorization are presented. As the expansion of palm tree fruit crops processing industries (manufacture of syrup, honey, non-alcoholic beverages, flours, confectionery products, fruit paste, etc.) is generating growing quantities of wastes in different forms, this book covers sustainable aspects. Written by an international team of contributors, this title is aimed at professionals and enterprises who aspire to develop real, high-scale industrial applications for palm tree and fruit residue valorization. Includes palm tree wastes and fruit processing by-products, their quantification and classification Brings identification, quantification and characterization of palm-tree and fruit wastes Thoroughly explores biotechnological, agricultural, environmental and energy applications of fruit processing by-products Contains case studies of a palm tree fruit processing by-products valorization