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Soil structure and fabric
BOOK REVIEWS
189
Soil Structure and Fabric. R. Brewer and J.R. Sleeman. CSIRO, Melbourne, Vic., 1988, viii+ 173 pp., ISBN 0 643 04859 6, Aus.$ 30.00 (hardback). The contributions of both R. Brewer and J.R. Sleeman to the development of soil micromorphology are well known. Thus, it is no surprise that this book on soil structure and fabric deals essentially with the microscopic description of soils. It can be considered as a complement to Brewer's famous Fabric and Mineral Analysis of Soils (1964), and at the same as an updated version of its part on fabric analysis, with modified concepts and definitions. Micromorphology is undergoing a fast evolution, and a need is felt for a precise but concise terminology, allowing a systematic and standardized description of soil thin sections. One of the first steps towards this aim was Brewer's publication of 1964. Meanwhile other attempts have been made, and this book again is a step forwards. The book consists of four different, but closely related parts: a text-part (61 pp. ), a section with tables and schemes (47 pp. ), a section with plates (31 pp. ) and appendices. In the first part the system and definitions are explained. This part is rather abstract, and even the few examples given are not concrete. Therefore the text is rather difficult to read. A few line drawings would greatly have enhanced the text; also cross-references to plates would have been useful. Several of the original concepts of Brewer (1964) are modified, and sometimes renamed (e.g. pedological features are now associated structures), and many new concepts and names introduced. Using prefixes, suffixes and adjectives as qualifiers, the authors succeed to describe as succinctly as possible complex fabrics and their general composition (the "systematic nomenclature" ). The system is logic and can easily be extended and completed. The advantages of such a system are obvious for data-processing and publication. The drawback is the appearance of long new-coined ugly terms, which may not be appreciated by everybody. The 27 tables list and explain systematically the different types of fabrics and structures and the qualifiers. They form an essential part of the book, both for applying the system and for understanding descriptions. Cross-references are given to plates. In 13 schemes the systematic nomenclature for different levels of fabric and structure is explained. The 161 black-and-white plates (essentially micrographs of thin sections) are well chosen and their extensive, didactic captions help much to understand the preceding parts. In the appendices several concepts (e.g. structure, texture, fabric, related distributions) are discussed from a more general and historical point of view and some specific problems related to optical observations in thin sections of three-dimensional fabrics explained. These problems have been too much overlooked in micromorphology up to now.
190
BOOK REVIEWS
It is clear that the authors want to present a purely morphological systems that allows to describe and classify soil fabrics and structures, absolutely independently of soil genetic considerations. One can regret, however, that no attempts have been made to illustrate the abstract terminology with more concrete examples by referring to commonly known soil materials. This surely would have contributed to a better understanding. The book has a hard cover and a handy format. The text is clearly structured (or has a good fabric?). Each page is subdivided into two columns; printing is of excellent quality. A minimum experience with soil micromorphology and a basic knowledge of Brewer's book of 1964 is required for a good understanding of the text. This publication is a meaningful and original contribution to soil micromorphology and it will without doubt influence the further development of this research method. It is therefore a must for soil micromorphologists. Whether its terminology will easily be accepted by field pedologists is questionable. G. STOOPS ( G h e n t )
The Ecology and Management of Wetlands, Vol. 1. Ecology of Wetlands; Vol. 2. Management Use and Value of Wetlands. D.D. Hook et al. (Editors). Croom Helm, London, 1988, Vol. 1 xxi+592 pp., Vol. 2 xxi+394 pp., 2 volumes £stg. 50.00 (hardback). These two volumes present an impressive interdisciplinary contribution to a complex subject. Most of the chapters have multiple authorship, so that a total of 83 scientists are involved, mainly from North America and Europe, although part of the subject matter is tropical. The work has been supported by some 30 donor agencies and institutions, and has been well prepared by a dozen editors from institutions in the U.S.A. The subject matter is discussed quantitatively, with emphasis on graphs and tables from case studies. There is a refreshing absence of generalized essays. Wetlands occupy about 6% of the world's land surface and their highly productive ecosystems constitute a major natural resource. Skills in wetland management, however, are limited by wide geographical variability which outstrips the scientific information available in the very extensive literature. The global distribution of wetlands is sketched somewhat briefly and their hydrological functions are illustrated by case studies of watersheds, using the methods of the U.S. Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Soil Conservation Service. Quantitative study of the effects of groundwater levels and base flows depend critically on the rates of evaporation, of which the Penman equation gave the best estimates in the studies reviewed.
189
Soil Structure and Fabric. R. Brewer and J.R. Sleeman. CSIRO, Melbourne, Vic., 1988, viii+ 173 pp., ISBN 0 643 04859 6, Aus.$ 30.00 (hardback). The contributions of both R. Brewer and J.R. Sleeman to the development of soil micromorphology are well known. Thus, it is no surprise that this book on soil structure and fabric deals essentially with the microscopic description of soils. It can be considered as a complement to Brewer's famous Fabric and Mineral Analysis of Soils (1964), and at the same as an updated version of its part on fabric analysis, with modified concepts and definitions. Micromorphology is undergoing a fast evolution, and a need is felt for a precise but concise terminology, allowing a systematic and standardized description of soil thin sections. One of the first steps towards this aim was Brewer's publication of 1964. Meanwhile other attempts have been made, and this book again is a step forwards. The book consists of four different, but closely related parts: a text-part (61 pp. ), a section with tables and schemes (47 pp. ), a section with plates (31 pp. ) and appendices. In the first part the system and definitions are explained. This part is rather abstract, and even the few examples given are not concrete. Therefore the text is rather difficult to read. A few line drawings would greatly have enhanced the text; also cross-references to plates would have been useful. Several of the original concepts of Brewer (1964) are modified, and sometimes renamed (e.g. pedological features are now associated structures), and many new concepts and names introduced. Using prefixes, suffixes and adjectives as qualifiers, the authors succeed to describe as succinctly as possible complex fabrics and their general composition (the "systematic nomenclature" ). The system is logic and can easily be extended and completed. The advantages of such a system are obvious for data-processing and publication. The drawback is the appearance of long new-coined ugly terms, which may not be appreciated by everybody. The 27 tables list and explain systematically the different types of fabrics and structures and the qualifiers. They form an essential part of the book, both for applying the system and for understanding descriptions. Cross-references are given to plates. In 13 schemes the systematic nomenclature for different levels of fabric and structure is explained. The 161 black-and-white plates (essentially micrographs of thin sections) are well chosen and their extensive, didactic captions help much to understand the preceding parts. In the appendices several concepts (e.g. structure, texture, fabric, related distributions) are discussed from a more general and historical point of view and some specific problems related to optical observations in thin sections of three-dimensional fabrics explained. These problems have been too much overlooked in micromorphology up to now.
190
BOOK REVIEWS
It is clear that the authors want to present a purely morphological systems that allows to describe and classify soil fabrics and structures, absolutely independently of soil genetic considerations. One can regret, however, that no attempts have been made to illustrate the abstract terminology with more concrete examples by referring to commonly known soil materials. This surely would have contributed to a better understanding. The book has a hard cover and a handy format. The text is clearly structured (or has a good fabric?). Each page is subdivided into two columns; printing is of excellent quality. A minimum experience with soil micromorphology and a basic knowledge of Brewer's book of 1964 is required for a good understanding of the text. This publication is a meaningful and original contribution to soil micromorphology and it will without doubt influence the further development of this research method. It is therefore a must for soil micromorphologists. Whether its terminology will easily be accepted by field pedologists is questionable. G. STOOPS ( G h e n t )
The Ecology and Management of Wetlands, Vol. 1. Ecology of Wetlands; Vol. 2. Management Use and Value of Wetlands. D.D. Hook et al. (Editors). Croom Helm, London, 1988, Vol. 1 xxi+592 pp., Vol. 2 xxi+394 pp., 2 volumes £stg. 50.00 (hardback). These two volumes present an impressive interdisciplinary contribution to a complex subject. Most of the chapters have multiple authorship, so that a total of 83 scientists are involved, mainly from North America and Europe, although part of the subject matter is tropical. The work has been supported by some 30 donor agencies and institutions, and has been well prepared by a dozen editors from institutions in the U.S.A. The subject matter is discussed quantitatively, with emphasis on graphs and tables from case studies. There is a refreshing absence of generalized essays. Wetlands occupy about 6% of the world's land surface and their highly productive ecosystems constitute a major natural resource. Skills in wetland management, however, are limited by wide geographical variability which outstrips the scientific information available in the very extensive literature. The global distribution of wetlands is sketched somewhat briefly and their hydrological functions are illustrated by case studies of watersheds, using the methods of the U.S. Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Soil Conservation Service. Quantitative study of the effects of groundwater levels and base flows depend critically on the rates of evaporation, of which the Penman equation gave the best estimates in the studies reviewed.