Forest Soils Properties and Processes

This is a comprehensive study of forest soils for foresters, wildlife and park managers, ecologists, and others interested in forest soils. It provides a valuable text for introductory and more advanced courses.

The first ten chapters deal with basic soil information: texture, structure, and porosity; colour, temperature, and aeration; water; organic content; biological organisms and processes; chemistry; fertility; classification; and surveys. The last six chapters consider the components of the forest soil systems as related processes, discussing roots, fire, and water and nutrient cycles as they exist in natural forests and as they are modified by man. Professor Armson examines the process of forest soil development, and the place of soil as a part of a continuously changing landscape from both the historical and ecological viewpoints. An appendix describes the procedures for soil profile description and sampling. Full bibliographical references are supplied.

Ken Armson is a professional forester who taught and conducted research in forestry at the University of Toronto for 26 years. He has a special interest in forest history and retired from the role of Ontario's Provincial Forester in 1989.