In honor of World Soil Day on December 5, the Research and Development arm of the USDA Forest Service is announcing the release of a major new synthesis of research on soils. The open-access book, Forest and Rangeland Soils of the United States under Changing Conditions, complies the latest soil research in the fields of forest and rangeland science. Published by Springer, the book is available for free online at www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/61256 or on the publisher's website at www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030452155.
Along with authors from across the Forest Service and other federal agencies, universities, and non-profit organizations, Forest Service scientists led a collaborative effort to capture and synthesize the latest science and management information about forest and rangeland soils of the United States. According to the Forest Service, "It offers ways to better understand changing conditions and their impacts on soils, and explores directions that positively affect the future of forest and rangeland soil health."
The open-access publication covers a range of topics, including an overview of the state of research; a summary of human and natural impacts on soil carbon, hydrology, biochemistry, and biodiversity; the effects of changing conditions in wetland and urban settings; opportunities for improving understanding of soil and ecosystem health; approaches for maintaining or regaining soil health; and ways to leverage data, mapping, and monitoring to address soil health issues. Appendixes summarize research needs, offer more detailed looks at regional soils in the US, and provide a list of monitoring networks, data sharing websites, and educational soil-centered programs.
Impact on forest and rangeland soils discussed include climate change, wildfire, pests and diseases, pollution, land-use changes, and invasive species.
