Soils of the Caribbean / Nazeer Ahmad.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ahmad, Nazeer, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Soils--Caribbean Area.

Soils.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (459 pages)

Place of Publication:

Kingston : Ian Randle Publishers, 2011.

Summary:

The soils of the Caribbean are the most valuable of the region's resources. Their proper use is important in food security, export of agricultural products and in the provision of housing, touristic and industrial development, sports and recreational facilities. Although interest in the study of Caribbean soils has attracted scientists from several parts of the world since the beginning of the twentieth century, research inputs have remained sporadic even up to the present. Only basic information exists on the distribution of soils and hardly any knowledge of their true capabilities for agriculture is available at a time when there is widespread interest in domestic food production and the need to maximize land use.Professor Ahmad's comprehensive survey and detailed analysis of the soils of the Caribbean region is a pioneering effort to address that deficiency. The work covers the entire region with the exception of the French overseas territories, the Dutch Antilles and Suriname and the Bahamas, but significantly includes the CARIFORUM countries of Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Haiti.The book is divided into two parts: PART ONE provides a general overview of the regional geographical setting and identifies the common features of the soils and their management, land use and land capability classification. PART TWO presents detailed studies of the soils of each of the countries of the Caribbean incorporating the geology, relief, climate and vegetation. For each country study Prof. Ahmad briefly reviews the history of past studies before breaking down soil classification, mineralogy, physical properties, chemistry and fertility, erosion, degradation and conservation, land capability and use.The text is supplemented by numerous maps, figures and tables as well as a substantial photo section highlighting some of the significant features form the various countries. There is both an author and general subject index which students, researchers and practitioners will find particularly useful in light of the pioneering nature of the work and the fact that the majority of the references are in the form of original reports and studies.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9789766378554

976637855X