Mapping of the Soil
Jean-Paul Legros : l’Ecole Nationale Superieure Agronomique (ENSA) Montpellier, France

Translated from French
ISBN 978-1-57808-363-3; 2005; 422 pages; $ 84.00      Buy Now

This treatise on soil cartography deals with modern methods and techniques, use of computers, and application of statistics for mapping soil cover. It covers everything required for the interpretation of results obtained, and for determining the most economical itinerary to attain that purpose.

Contents :
. Definitions, Objectives and Concepts
Definition of the Soil Map and its Components; Objectives and Applications of Mapping;
The Russian School of Soil Science; The Issues

. Various Kinds of Approaches
Various Mapping Procedures; Graphical Treatment of Pedological Objects; Types of Legend; Scales

. Preparation of a Field Work Plan
Conditions of Contract; Estimation of Times and Costs; Ordering, Preparing and Utilizing Aerial Photographs; Photogrammetric Documents; Documents and Equipment; Problems of Practical Organization

. Description of Soils in the Field
Generalities; Description of Certain Principal Properties; Design of a Description System for
Computer Processing; Technique of Describing Soils; Quality Checks Related to Description of
Soils; Organization of a Profile-study Program

. Map Preparation and Quality Checks
Methodological Basis of Zoning; Preparation of the Map; Quality Checks Related to Graphic
Information

. Computer Processing of Data
Generalities; Treatment of Graphic Data; Processing Non-graphic Data Pertaining to the Map;
Processing of Profile Data in France; Some International Efforts

. Modeling and Automation
Soil Prediction from Aerial Photographs; Trial of Segmentation of Space; Generalization of Local
Observations; Measurement of the Similarity between Soils; Simplification of Boundaries

. Principles of Thematic Mapping
Procedures of Thematic Mapping; Diffuse Models and Complete Aggregation; Diffuse Models
and Systems of Downgrading; Diffuse Models and Partial Aggregation; Diffuse Models and
Comparative Reasoning; Sequence of Spatial Models; Critical Analysis of Thematic Mapping

. Soil Mapping and Multidisciplinary Approach
Soil Mapping and Agronomy; Soil Mapping and Civil Engineering; Soil Mapping and Ecology;
Soil Maps and Climatic Data

. Soil Maps of the World and French-speaking Countries
International Mapping Efforts; Soil Mapping in Canada; Soil Mapping in USA; Soil Mapping in
Belgium; Soil Mapping in Great Britain; Soil Mapping in France; Soil Mapping in Switzerland;
Soil Mapping in Africa; Soil Mapping in Some Other Countries

Appendices
A1 Planning a Field Programme (Estimation of Time and Costs)
A2 Zoning of Soilscapes in the Region of Flaine (Haut-Savoie)
A3 Planning Land Use
Bibliography
Index