M.R. Balks D. Zabowski. Celebrating Soil. Discovering Soils and Landscapes

Transcription

1 Celebrating Soil

2 M.R. Balks D. Zabowski Celebrating Soil Discovering Soils and Landscapes

3 M.R. Balks University of Waikato Hamilton, New Zealand D. Zabowski University of Washington Seattle, WA, USA ISBN DOI / ISBN (ebook) Library of Congress Control Number: Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. Cover page: Van Gough looks deeper tapestry in wool by Megan Balks Printed on acid-free paper This Springer imprint is published by Springer Nature The registered company is Springer International Publishing AG Switzerland

4 Preface Our objective is to produce a book that celebrates the diversity, importance, and intrinsic beauty of soils around the world and helps the reader to understand the ways that soils are related to the landscapes in which they form and the life that they support. Jock Churchman in 2013 nicely captured our underlying philosophy when he wrote: Like the Lorax who speak for the trees in Dr Seuss wonderful environmental fable, one of the most important roles for soil scientists may be to speak for the soil. We want every person on Earth to appreciate how important our soil resource is. Swaisgood and Sheppard in 2010 suggested that The gloom and doom niche in conservation is well occupied,. By contrast the hope niche is relatively open. Thus we want to give a positive message, rather than the fearful warnings that tend to dominate much of today s environmental writing. We want to take our readers on a global journey through soils and landscapes ranging from the Arctic to the Antarctic, sharing the delight of discovery and sense of awe for the amazing variety and processes that soils utilize to support the ecosystems of different landscapes. Exploring the relationships between landscapes and the underlying soils can increase a reader s understanding of the soils beneath the landscapes in which they live, work, and travel. A book of this type cannot be comprehensive. The soils and landscapes discussed are ones in which at least one of the authors has first hand experience. By using a wide range of examples, we seek to give some insight into the variety and fascination that is to be found in the study of soils. There are many excellent publications and websites people can go to for more in-depth information. A list of sources and some suggested further reading are included in Appendix 2, as a starting point for the interested person. The best way to learn and get to know soils is to get out there and get close to the soil. Plant a garden, make a clay sculpture, and enjoy the feel, sight, sound, and smell of the soil in its endless dance with water and life. Hamilton, New Zealand Seattle, WA, USA M.R. Balks D. Zabowski v

5 Acknowledgments We would like to thank: University of Waikato in New Zealand and University of Washington, in Seattle, USA, who allowed the authors time to work on this project. The many wonderful soil scientists who have provided us with inspiration, friendship, and education over the years. Megan would especially like to thank Vince Neall, Jim Pollock, Allan Hewitt, John McCraw, Iain Campbell, Graeme Claridge, Daniel Hillel, and Sergey Goryachkin. Darlene would like to thank all of the soil scientists who have shared their knowledge and experience with her over many meetings, discussions, and field trips. David Lowe, Russell Briggs, Tanya O Neill, and Wendy Fallon for critical review of drafts of the manuscript. Marianne Coleman for assistance with the preparation of figures and diagrams. Special thanks go to our wonderful husbands, Errol Balks and Brandon Cole, who have provided endless support to us as we have pursued our interests in soil science and in preparing this book. vii

6 Contents 1 Soils in Harmony with the Environment... 1 Introduction... 2 The Environment and Soil... 3 The Underlying Sources of Soil: Parent Materials... 4 Topography: The Relationship Between Landscape and Soils... 5 Climate: Hot or Cold, Wet or Dry, Soils Respond... 7 Living Creatures: Influence on the Soils on Which They Depend... 9 Time: It Takes Time for a Soil to Develop Looking Deeper: Understanding the Soil Profile Celebrating Soils in Harmony with the Environment Soils Born of Fire Introduction Volcanic Landscapes Hawaii: Steam Heat and New Rock Mount Saint Helens Raining Mud: The 1886 Eruption of Mt. Tarawera in New Zealand The Taupo Pumice Eruption Jeju, Korea: A Land of Wind and Stones Celebrating the Productivity of Volcanic Soils Soils Born of Water Introduction Water-Saturated Soils Soils Formed on River Floodplains Water Scarcity: Soils and Salt Frozen Water: Glacial Deposits Peatland Soils Soils Formed in Lake Sediments Coastal Margins: Acid Sulfate Soils, as Sour as Lemon Juice Celebrating the Productivity of Water-Influenced Soils Soils of Forests Introduction Temperate Broadleaf and Mixed Forests Temperate Coniferous Forests Boreal Forests ix

7 x Contents Tropical and Subtropical Forests Mediterranean Woodlands and Savannas Some Special Forest Trees Celebrating the Productivity of Forest Soils Soils of Grasslands and Rangelands Introduction Loess: Some Soils Start with Wind Grasslands Grasslands: Central China Grasslands: Australian Wheat Belt Grasslands: Alpine Meadows Grasslands: Mounds of Mystery Rangelands Rangelands: The Pilbara Region of Western Australia Celebrating the Productivity of Grasslands and Rangelands Soils in Extreme Environments Introduction Antarctic Coastal Margins The Dry Valleys of Antarctica Furthest South: Soils on the Margins of the Polar Plateau Mid-Latitude Deserts Extreme Heat: Geothermal Environments Celebrating the Productivity of Soils in Extreme Environments When the Earth Moves: Earthquakes, Landslides, and Erosion Introduction Uplifted Land: New Opportunities On Shaky Ground: Soil Behavior in Earthquakes Landslides and Mudflows: Hillsides on the Move Lahars: Mudflows from Volcanoes Soil Surface Erosion Celebrating Resilience, Recovery, and the Landforms Created Soils and Humans Introduction Soils in Myths, Legends, and Traditions Ancient Earthworks in the United Kingdom Soils in the Maori Culture of Aotearoa, New Zealand The Legacy of the Inca Civilization Middens in British Columbia, Canada Leaving a Record Using Soil Materials The Great Garden Traditions Plaggen Soils of Europe Urban Soils in the Twenty-First Century Celebrating the Productivity of Urban Soils Managing and Caring for Our Soils Introduction People on Earth Preventing and Mitigating Soil Erosion

8 Contents xi Maintaining and Enhancing Soil Fertility Prevention, Mitigation, and Management of Salt Accumulation in Soils Urban Expansion Prevention, Mitigation, and Management of Soil Compaction Prevention, Mitigation, and Management of Contaminants in Soils Precious Water: A Key to Soil Productivity Drainage to Improve Soil Productivity Celebrating the Variety, Productivity, and Beauty of Soil Appendices Appendix 1: Visual Dictionary Appendix 2: List of Sources/Further Reading Appendix 3: Photographic Credits Appendix 4: About the Authors