Soils and Productivity

Abstract

Includes index. This book provides a comprehensive overview of pedology in Ireland. It describes the main soil types of the country, their functions, ecological use, and the conditions to which they were subjected associated with management over time. In addition, it presents a complete set of data, pictures and maps, including benchmark profiles. Factors involved in soil formation are also discussed, making use of new, unpublished data and elaborations. The book was produced with the support and sponsorship of Teagasc, The Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Ireland and the Irish Environmental Protection Agency. Intro; Foreword, Undersigned and Dated; Preface; Contents; Editors and Contributors; Author Biographies; 1 A History of Soil Research with Emphasis on Pedology; Abstract; 1.1 In the Past ... ; 1.2 Geology and Geological Origins of Soil Research; 1.3 Pedology, Agriculture, Education and Advisory; 1.4 Official Pedology, Pedogenic Investigations and Surveys; References; 2 Soil Formation; Abstract; 2.1 Soil Forming Factors; 2.2 Geology; 2.2.1 Solid Geology; 2.2.2 Quaternary Geology; 2.3 Climate of Ireland; 2.3.1 Rainfall; 2.3.2 Air Temperature; 2.3.3 Soil and Earth Temperature. 2.3.4 Potential Evaoptranspiration2.3.5 Soil Moisture Deficits; 2.4 Soil Profile Development; 2.4.1 Soil Horizons; 2.4.2 Principal Processes of Soil Profile Development in Ireland; 2.5 Conclusion; References; 3 Soil Classification; Abstract; 3.1 Introduction; 3.2 Reference Section; 3.3 Describing a Soil Profile; 3.4 Horizon Definitions; 3.4.1 Diagnostic Criteria; 3.5 Classification of Great Soil Groups; 3.6 Classification of Soil Subgroups; 3.7 Classification of Soil Series; 3.8 Correlation of Irish SIS to World Reference Base; 3.9 WRB Classification for Urban Soils; Acknowledgements. 4.6 Development of SIS the Digital Soil Information System4.6.1 Interactive Soil Map; 4.6.2 Soils Guide; 4.7 Soil Quality, Sustainability and Mapping; 4.7.1 Indicative Soil Depth Map; 4.7.2 Indicative Bulk Density Map; 4.8 Conclusion; References; 5 Landscapes: An Introduction; Abstract; 5.1 An Introduction to the Landscapes of Ireland; References; 6 Mountain Landscapes; Abstract; 6.1 Mountain Landscapes; 6.2 Soils of the Mountain Landscape; 6.3 Land Use and Management; References; 7 Hill Landscapes; Abstract; 7.1 Introduction; 7.2 Provincial Distribution of the Hill Landscapes of Ireland. 7.3 Soils of the Hill Landscape7.4 Land Management and Suitability of the Hill Soils; References; 8 Peatlands; Abstract; 8.1 Introduction; 8.2 Peatlands, Peat Soils and Peat; 8.3 Extent and Profiles of Fens, Raised Bogs and Blanket Bogs; 8.3.1 Fens; 8.3.2 Raised Bogs; 8.3.3 Blanket Bogs; 8.4 Irish Peatlands: A Valuable Ecological Resource; 8.5 Historical Review of Peatland Utilisation and Stakeholders; 8.6 Current Peatland Land Use Categories; 8.6.1 Agriculture; 8.6.2 Forestry; 8.6.3 Peat Extraction; 8.7 Condition of Irish Peatlands; 8.8 Ecosystem Services of Peatlands.