Abstract

An abridged, student-oriented edition of Hillel's earlier published Environmental Soil Physics, Introduction to Environmental Soil Physics is a more succinct elucidation of the physical principles and processes governing the behavior of soil and the vital role it plays in both natural and managed ecosystems. The textbook is self-contained and self-explanatory, with numerous illustrations and sample problems. Based on sound fundamental theory, the textbook leads to a practical consideration of soil as a living system in nature and illustrates the influences of human activity upon soil structure and function. Students, as well as other readers, will better understand the importance of soils and the pivotal possition they occupy with respect to careful and knowledgeable conservation.

• Written in an engaging and clear style, posing and resolving issues relevant to the terrestrial environment
• Explores the gamut of the interactions among the phases in the soil and the dynamic interconnection of the soil with the subterranean and atmospheric domains
• Reveals the salient ideas, approaches, and methods of environmental soil physics
• Includes numerous illustrative exercises, which are explicitly solved
• Designed to serve for classroom and laboratory instruction, for self-study, and for reference
• Oriented toward practical problems in ecology, field-scale hydrology, agronomy, and civil engineering
• Differs from earlier texts in its wider scope and holistic environmental conception

"...an excellent introductory text for an undergraduate course in soil physics. The book is well written and nicely presents the major topics..."
- Nels Ruud, Furgo West Inc., Oakland, California, U.S.A.
"We are convinced that this study will open a new scientific research horizon in the field of soil physics."
- Professor Corneliu Cismaru, Ph.D.
"In addition to students, this work can help those who are concerned about the environment or who depend on the soil for their livelihood."
- Dr. Daniel D. Fritton
Pennsylvania State University
"...here we have a rarity: a textbook that educates as well as teaches, and that delights as well as informs."
-Dr. Cynthia Rosenzweig
Goddard Institute for Space Studies
"Daniel Hillel, with his unique literary style, smoothly blends the basic with the applied concepts into a very readable book."
Dr. John Letey
Distinguished Professor of Soil Science
University of California, Riverside
"...Daniel Hillel uses his crisp, lucid writing style to bring the subject of soil physics to life...."
-D. Keith Cassel
North Carolina State University