Geopedology ― An Integration of Geomorphology and Pedology for Soil and Landscape Studies

This book offers a proven approach for reliable mapping of soil-landscape relationships to derive information for policy, planning and management at scales ranging from local to regional. It presents the theoretical and conceptual framework of the geopedologic approach and a bulk of applied research showing its application and benefits for knowledge generation relevant to geohazard studies, land use conflict analysis, land use planning, land degradation assessment, and land suitability analysis.

Soil is a vital resource for society at large and an important determinant of the economic status of nations. The intensification of natural disasters and the increased land use competition for food and energy have raised awareness of the relevant role the pedosphere plays in natural and anthropogenic environments. Recent papers and global initiatives show a renewed interest in soil research and its applications for improved planning and management of this fragile and finite resource.

Joseph Alfred Zinck is professor emeritus at the University of Twente, Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), Enschede, The Netherlands. He has previously worked in soil survey and land use planning projects.

Graciela Metternicht is a Professor at the Institute of Environmental Studies, UNSW Australia. Her research interests are in the fields of environmental management and geospatial technologies.

Gerardo Bocco is Senior Researcher at the Centre for Environmental Geography, in the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). He is mostly interested in landscape and natural resource management by rural communities in developing countries. He is a member of the editorial board of Geomorphology.

Dr. Hector del Valle is Senior Researcher at the Patagonian National Centre (CENPAT-CONICET), Argentina. He has more than 40 years’ experience on Landscape Ecology and Remote Sensing of Soils.