Preface

*Soil Science – Emerging Technologies, Global Perspectives and Applications* presents a compelling insight into the rapidly evolving discipline of soil science. The "Emerging Technology" section addresses issues including discriminating soil organic matter with ultraviolet light, TDR sensor systems, precision agriculture, supporting the microbial populations to sequester soil carbon, diagnosing soil quality and plant nutrition, and reducing arsenic uptake in rice. The section on "Global Perspectives" addresses issues that influence the human condition and occur across national and climatic boundaries, including wetland health, groundwater management, and soil erosion. The final section, "Applications", is on applications of soil science and includes contributions that support environmental and soil development understanding, such as phytoremediation, remediation of heavy metals, geochemical influences on soil development, and soil degradation.

Each chapter provides a unique perspective of soil science; however, the totality of the book's thirteen chapters demonstrates the intellectual diversity addressing a series of global issues that affect the human condition. Soil is the foundation of civilization and we need to secure this resource for the sustainability and enrichment of future generations.

> **Dr. Michael Aide and Dr. Indi Braden** Professor of Agriculture, Southeast Missouri State University, Missouri, USA

Section 1
