Management of Problem Soils in Arid Ecosystems

About this book

Arid land soils contain low organic matter, are not leached and accumulate lime, gypsum and soluble salts, requiring special management techniques. The author discusses how to reclaim and efficiently use these soils. Water management and desertification are also discussed.

Contents

The Arid EcosystemElements of the ClimateClassification of the Earth to Climatic RegionsNatural Vegetative Cover in Arid EcosystemsSoils of the Arid EcosystemsReferencesSalt-Affected SoilsIntroductionThe Size of the ProblemCharacteristics of Salt-Affected SoilsStudies Required for Predicting Salinization Due to Upward Movement of Groundwater and its Subsequent EvaporationEffect of Salinity on Plant Growth and CompositionReferencesCalcareous SoilsIntroductionMorphologyPhysical PropertiesChemical and Fertility PropertiesGypsic SoilsManagement of Calcareous SoilsReferencesSandy SoilsIntroductionFormation of Sandy SoilsThe Sandy Soils in Soil Classification SystemsPhysical CharacteristicsManagement of Sandy SoilsReferencesWater Management in Arid EcosystemsIntroductionTechnologies for Increasing Water ResourcesManagement of Rain-Fed AgricultureIrrigationDrainageUse of Low-Quality Water for IrrigationReferencesDesertificationIntroductionSoil DegradationDegradation Versus DesertificationDesertification Due to Sand MovementDesertification of RangelandDesertification Due to Irrigation and WaterloggingCombating Desertification in Rain-Fed CroplandsComplementary Measures for Combating DesertificationSoil ErosionWater ErosionWind ErosionDesertification, a Global ChallengeReferencesIndex

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