The largest part of the world's food comes from its soils, either
directly from plants, or via animals fed on pastures and crops.
Thus, it is necessary to maintain, and if possible, improve the
quality-and hence good health-of soils, while enabling them to
support the growing world population. The Soil Underfoot: Infinite
Possibilities for a Finite Resource arms readers with historical
wisdom from various populations around the globe, along with
current ideas and approaches for the wise management of soils. It
covers the value of soils and their myriad uses viewed within human
and societal contexts in the past, present, and supposed futures.
In addition to addressing the technical means of maintaining soils,
this book presents a culturally and geographically diverse
collection of historical attitudes to soils, including
philosophical and ethical frameworks, which have either sustained
them or led to their degradation. Section I describes major
challenges associated with climate change, feeding the increasing
world population, chemical pollution and soil degradation, and
technology. Section II discusses various ways in which soils are,
or have been, valued-including in film and contemporary art as well
as in religious and spiritual philosophies, such as Abrahamic
religions, Maori traditions, and in Confucianism. Section III
provides stories about soil in ancient and historic cultures
including the Roman Empire, Greece, India, Japan, Korea, South
America, New Zealand, the United States, and France. Section IV
describes soil modification technologies, such as polymer membrane
barriers, and soil uses outside commercial agriculture including
the importance of soils for recreation and sports grounds. The
final section addresses future strategies for more effective
sustainable use of soils, emphasizing the biological nature of
soils and enhancing the use of "green water" retained from
rainfall.
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