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Carbon forms and functions in forest soil. papers from the eighth North American forest soils conferences
304
Book Rer,ie\vs
fertilizers), to record yield during harvest and to sense different soil properties. Much of the research on this topic is conducted in close cooperation between research institutes/universities and private industry. Session IV on L’profitability’ ’ (3 papers) discusses a number of different software packages that allow Farmers, landowners and financial advisers to make a cost-return analysis of the specific management options. The limited number of papers in this session begs the question: “is SSCM economically feasible‘?“. Session V on “encironment” (7 papers) presents cases in which qualitative and quantitative techniques are used to assess the impact of different management scenario’s on the environment. In the first approach qualitative ratings are used whereas in the second approach dynamic simulation models are applied. Session VI on “technology transfer” (6 papers) addresses the issue of transferring and implementing the SSCM knowledge which has been gathered in an academic environment to the end-users, farmers. This process includes formal and informal instruction, in-service training and decision support. The proceedings give a good overview of the state of the art of site-specific crop management in a well structured (6 different sessions) and comprehensive (993 pages) way. Therefore, the book is excellent reading for those already interested in SSCM. The proceedings clearly demonstrate that SSCM continues to raise a great deal of interest amongst researchers, industry and farmers alike, especially in the USA where farms are large. However, benefits for areas outside the USA are hardly touched upon. Inevitably, the inclusion of all conference presentations means that the proceedings contain papers of varying quality. A system of strict peer review could have resulted in an improved, more easily digested set of papers which would benefit those who are unfamiliar with SSCM. The saying that “the proof of the pudding is in the eating” is also true for Site-Specific Crop Management. Therefore, it is very much welcomed that the recommendations made by the academic community during this conference are discussed with the farmers who will have to apply them. Only in such a dialogue can SSCM mature into a practical strategy for economic as well as environmentally sound agriculture. That both parties are in a win-win situation forecasts a bright future for Site-Specific Crop Management.
Wugeningen,
HENK WijSTEN The Netherlands
PII SOO16-7061(96)00012-2
Carbon Forms and Functions in Forest Soil. Papers from the Eighth North American Forest Soils Conferences. W.W. McFee and J.M. Kelly (Editors). Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI, 1995. Hardcover, xix + 594 pp. Price US$70, ISBN O-891 18818-5. This eclectic volume will be of value to specialists and generalists interested in forestry, soil organic carbon (SOC) and/or applied ecology. It would make an excellent
Book Reciews
305
reference for a graduate student course and could provide selected readings for advanced undergraduates studying soil science, forestry, natural resources or ecology. Even though it was written primarily by North American Scientists it should appeal to an intemational audience; it addresses methods and ecosystems of interest world wide. It includes twenty seven well referenced chapters that vary widely in their subject matter and styles. Chapters include a mixture of review articles and research papers. Over half of its entries cover applied questions. The book begins with reviews of SOC research shortfalls and promising new isolation and characterization techniques. Subsequent papers explore super critical gas extraction and 13C NMR methodologies. Baldock and Preson’s chapter is an excellent example of 13C NMR usage and interpretation. Those familiar organic matter texts will notice this book’s emphasis on non-humic substances. Particularly notable are the large number of papers with valuable information about dissolved organic matter (DOC). Contributions address functional group and binding characteristics of low molecular weight organic (LMWC) compounds and methods to isolate and purify procedurally defined DOC and LMWC fractions. Chapters provide general information about DOC’s concentrations and distribution in soils and role in soil processes. Several papers also address practical and methodological aspects of particulate and light organic matter fractions, pointing out macro-organic matter’s functional significance in forest ecosystems. The second part of the book is devoted to contemporary research topics and includes many examples of methods application. There are review chapters on general principals in ecosystem development, forest productivity and nutrient cycling. These are supported by related research papers focused on a wide range of chemical and biological mechanisms. Research topics include, for example, biosolid application to forests, forest floor response to elevated CO,, modeling of C contributions to profile development, clear cutting impacts on C and N dynamics in western forests, and pollution and earthworm impacts on C and N cycling in a northeastern urban-rural gradient. A series of papers discuss pedogenic processes and several emphasize podzolization. Chapters by Hammer et al. and Richter et al. point out important conceptual oversights that have resulted from a text book bias towards a too simplified state factor approach and a common over emphasis of surface soil characteristics. This collection indicates active growth in SOC research and supports a statement made by McCall and Gressel in chapter 2 by demonstrating that new methods are antiquating solubility-based classification of SOM and leading to new concepts and insights into SOC. By highlighting advancements in methods and demonstrating their conceptual application, this volume should attract individuals to SOC research and point them in promising directions. M.M. WANDER Urbana, IL, USA PII SOO16-7061(96)00013-4
Book Rer,ie\vs
fertilizers), to record yield during harvest and to sense different soil properties. Much of the research on this topic is conducted in close cooperation between research institutes/universities and private industry. Session IV on L’profitability’ ’ (3 papers) discusses a number of different software packages that allow Farmers, landowners and financial advisers to make a cost-return analysis of the specific management options. The limited number of papers in this session begs the question: “is SSCM economically feasible‘?“. Session V on “encironment” (7 papers) presents cases in which qualitative and quantitative techniques are used to assess the impact of different management scenario’s on the environment. In the first approach qualitative ratings are used whereas in the second approach dynamic simulation models are applied. Session VI on “technology transfer” (6 papers) addresses the issue of transferring and implementing the SSCM knowledge which has been gathered in an academic environment to the end-users, farmers. This process includes formal and informal instruction, in-service training and decision support. The proceedings give a good overview of the state of the art of site-specific crop management in a well structured (6 different sessions) and comprehensive (993 pages) way. Therefore, the book is excellent reading for those already interested in SSCM. The proceedings clearly demonstrate that SSCM continues to raise a great deal of interest amongst researchers, industry and farmers alike, especially in the USA where farms are large. However, benefits for areas outside the USA are hardly touched upon. Inevitably, the inclusion of all conference presentations means that the proceedings contain papers of varying quality. A system of strict peer review could have resulted in an improved, more easily digested set of papers which would benefit those who are unfamiliar with SSCM. The saying that “the proof of the pudding is in the eating” is also true for Site-Specific Crop Management. Therefore, it is very much welcomed that the recommendations made by the academic community during this conference are discussed with the farmers who will have to apply them. Only in such a dialogue can SSCM mature into a practical strategy for economic as well as environmentally sound agriculture. That both parties are in a win-win situation forecasts a bright future for Site-Specific Crop Management.
Wugeningen,
HENK WijSTEN The Netherlands
PII SOO16-7061(96)00012-2
Carbon Forms and Functions in Forest Soil. Papers from the Eighth North American Forest Soils Conferences. W.W. McFee and J.M. Kelly (Editors). Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI, 1995. Hardcover, xix + 594 pp. Price US$70, ISBN O-891 18818-5. This eclectic volume will be of value to specialists and generalists interested in forestry, soil organic carbon (SOC) and/or applied ecology. It would make an excellent
Book Reciews
305
reference for a graduate student course and could provide selected readings for advanced undergraduates studying soil science, forestry, natural resources or ecology. Even though it was written primarily by North American Scientists it should appeal to an intemational audience; it addresses methods and ecosystems of interest world wide. It includes twenty seven well referenced chapters that vary widely in their subject matter and styles. Chapters include a mixture of review articles and research papers. Over half of its entries cover applied questions. The book begins with reviews of SOC research shortfalls and promising new isolation and characterization techniques. Subsequent papers explore super critical gas extraction and 13C NMR methodologies. Baldock and Preson’s chapter is an excellent example of 13C NMR usage and interpretation. Those familiar organic matter texts will notice this book’s emphasis on non-humic substances. Particularly notable are the large number of papers with valuable information about dissolved organic matter (DOC). Contributions address functional group and binding characteristics of low molecular weight organic (LMWC) compounds and methods to isolate and purify procedurally defined DOC and LMWC fractions. Chapters provide general information about DOC’s concentrations and distribution in soils and role in soil processes. Several papers also address practical and methodological aspects of particulate and light organic matter fractions, pointing out macro-organic matter’s functional significance in forest ecosystems. The second part of the book is devoted to contemporary research topics and includes many examples of methods application. There are review chapters on general principals in ecosystem development, forest productivity and nutrient cycling. These are supported by related research papers focused on a wide range of chemical and biological mechanisms. Research topics include, for example, biosolid application to forests, forest floor response to elevated CO,, modeling of C contributions to profile development, clear cutting impacts on C and N dynamics in western forests, and pollution and earthworm impacts on C and N cycling in a northeastern urban-rural gradient. A series of papers discuss pedogenic processes and several emphasize podzolization. Chapters by Hammer et al. and Richter et al. point out important conceptual oversights that have resulted from a text book bias towards a too simplified state factor approach and a common over emphasis of surface soil characteristics. This collection indicates active growth in SOC research and supports a statement made by McCall and Gressel in chapter 2 by demonstrating that new methods are antiquating solubility-based classification of SOM and leading to new concepts and insights into SOC. By highlighting advancements in methods and demonstrating their conceptual application, this volume should attract individuals to SOC research and point them in promising directions. M.M. WANDER Urbana, IL, USA PII SOO16-7061(96)00013-4