Soil degradation is clearly one of the most pressing problems facing man kind. A continuation of soil degradation will eventually lead to a loss in crop productivity even though fertilizers and other inputs often result in increased yields in the short term. Soil degradation also leads to environ mental pollution. A decrease in soil quality invariably leads to a decrease in water quality, and often in air quality. While there is a clear consensus that soil degradation is a major problem, the literature on this subject leaves numerous baffling questions. If statis tics on land degradation are correct, there is a definite cause for concern, and present a mammoth challenge for agricultural scientists. There are those that say the scientific community has over dramatized this issue, and created a credibility problem. Consequently; Volume 11 of Advances in Soil Science was organized by Dr. Rattan Lal who is recognized as a lead ing authority on the subject. The objective of Volume 11 was to assess the types and processes of soil degradation and establish some of the major cause-effect relationships. Volume II documented the seriousness of soil degradation in many parts of the world. Therefore, it seemed immediately important to devote a volume to the principles and technologies for restor ing degraded soils to a productive status. While the land resources are limited, world population is rapidly increasing, particularly in developing countries. Dr.

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The degradation of soil through the action of man, such as in agriculture, chemical pollution and mining, and through natural systems of erosion and volcanic activity, is of serious concern throughout the world. This book examines both the mechanisms of soil degradation and the methods by which this soil can be restored to its original condition. Soil scientists, agronomists, and environmental scientists involved in the practice of soil restoration will find this book to be an invaluable reference.

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Need for Land Restoration.- I. Introduction.- II. Basic Concepts of Land Restoration.- III. Global Extent of Soil Degradation.- IV. Land Hunger.- V. Need for Soil Restoration.- VI.Conclusion.- References.- Reclamation of Chemically Degraded Soils.- I. Introduction.- II. Principles of Soil Reclamation.- III. Conclusions.- References.- Soil Fertility Restoration and Management for Sustainable Agriculture in South Asia.- I. Introduction.- II. Soils, Climate, and Crops of South Asia.- III. Soils Under Shifting Cultivation.- IV. Soils Under Intensive Cultivation.- V. Soils Under Salinity or Sodicity.- VI. Summary and Conclusions.- References.- Reclamation of Acid Sulphate Soils.- I. Introduction.- II. Previous Reviews and Major Sources.- III. Formation and Characteristics of Acid Sulphate Soils.- IV. Alternative Strategies for Reclamation.- V. Minimum-Disturbance Strategies.- VI. Reclamation by Leaching and Liming.- VII. Summary and Conclusions.- References.- Restoring Land Degraded by Gully Erosion in the Tropics.- I. Introduction.- II. Mechanisms of Gully Formation and Advance.- III. Factors Affecting Gully Erosion.- IV. Anthropogenic Causes Responsible for Gully Erosion.- V. Watershed Factors in Gully Erosion.- VI. Measurement and Evaluation of Gully Erosion.- VII. Gully Erosion Control.- VIII. Conclusions.- References.- Reclamation of Indurated, Volcanic-Ash Materials in Latin America.- I. Introduction.- II. Nomenclature.- III. Genesis of Indurated, Volcanic-Ash Materials.- IV. Classification of Indurated Materials.- V. Properties of Indurated Materials.- VI. Distribution and Extent of Indurated Materials.- VII. Soil Erosion on Indurated Materials.- VIII. Reclamation of Exposed Indurated Materials.- IX. Summary.- References.- Soil Faunal Degradation and Restoration.- I.Introduction.- II. The Composition of the Fauna.- III. Influence of Fauna on Soil Fertility.- IV. Land Disturbance and Faunal Degradation.- V. Restoring Soil Fauna.- VI. Faunal Indicators and Biological Monitoring of Soil Quality.- VII. Conclusion.- References.- Creation and Restoration of Wetlands: Some Design Considerations for Ecological Engineering.- I. Introduction.- II. Wetland Design.- III. Summary.- References.- Bioremediation of Soils Contaminated with Selenium.- I. Introduction.- II. Geochemistry.- III. Deficiencies and Toxicity of Selenium.- IV. Vegetation Uptake.- V. Microbial Transformations.- VI. Bioremediation of Selenium Contaminated Soils: San Joaquin Valley, CaliforniaA Case History.- VII. Remediation of Seleniferous Sediments and Water.- VIII. Conclusions.- References.- Reclamation of Mine Tailings.- I. Introduction.- II. Distribution of Tailings.- III. Environmental Consequences.- IV. Limitations to Tailings Reclamation.- V. Mine Tailings Reclamation.- VI. Summary.- References.- Reclamation of Mine Land Using Municipal Sludge.- I. Introduction.- II. Review of Land Reclamation Projects Using Municipal Sludge.- III. Summary.- References.- Researcher and Development Priorities for Soil Restoration.- I. Introduction.- II. Approaches to Soil Restoration.- III. Strategies and Policies.- IV. Conclusions.- References.