Professor Roy Morgan's third edition of Soil Erosion and Conservation is an authoritative, well-researched and accessible contribution to the study of soil erosion and its control. The balance between scope and depth of the subject matter covered is ideal, reflecting Professor Morgan's 35 years’ international experience in lecturing, research and consultancy on soil erosion, with particular interests in erosion assessment, erosion modelling and the use of vegetation in soil protection. At a time when soil erosion is moving up the environmental agenda (as evidenced by the EU's Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection and forthcoming Soil Framework Directive), this publication is extremely apposite and welcome.
The order of contents is logical, with early chapters covering the causes and impacts of soil erosion, supported by substantial references to both classical and cutting edge research. This understanding of the physical processes and mechanics of soil erosion is used as the basis for the design and implementation of sound, effective erosion control strategies. These wide-ranging methods, encompassing agronomic, mechanical and soil management practices for erosion control and soil conservation, are covered comprehensively in the later chapters. The subject matter is considered at various spatial scales, from the impacts of erosion at the international level, to traditional erosion control practices carried out on individual farmers’ fields.
This third edition contains new and updated sections, reflecting the evolution of erosion studies and practices since the 1986 and 1995 editions of the book. More emphasis is now given to the economic, social and political constraints to the implementation of soil conservation practices, especially the role of the legal framework in supporting land managers and communities to implement and maintain soil conservation programmes. This is essential, because to paraphrase Michael Stocking (University of East Anglia) and Norman Hudson (formerly of Cranfield University), no matter how well-designed the technical aspect of a soil conservation programme, it will fail unless the right economic, social and political conditions prevail. There are also completely new sections on tillage erosion, terrain analysis in erosion risk assessment, tracers in erosion measurement, and the validation and sensitivity analysis of erosion models.
There is an appropriate balance between theory and practice throughout. Numerous references of previous research studies are cited, as well as case studies demonstrating the application of the theoretical aspects of soil erosion control. Practical techniques such as erosion hazard assessment, experimental measurement of soil erosion and soil conservation practices are presented in a way such that the reader would be able to apply these techniques.
I would recommend this book as both a reference text and practical manual to final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students, and practitioners with an interest in the degradation and conservation of the soil resource. The layout of the sections, use of text boxes, numerous diagrams, informative data tables and clear figures make the pages attractive and easy to read, as well as allowing easy navigation throughout the book.
Soil is currently regarded as a non-renewable resource, capable of carrying out a wide range of environmental functions (including production of food, fuel and fodder, storage of water and nutrients, provision of habitat and cultural features, and filtration and chemical transformations). This book clearly illustrates the processes and adverse impacts of soil loss through erosion. It also demonstrates the strategies available to communities, land managers, consultants, advisors and scientists in conserving this precious resource.
