This book provides a comprehensive understanding of the nature and causes of land degradation, as well as methods for evaluating, characterizing, and controlling it to maintain land productivity. It covers a broad range of land degradation topics in a concise and straightforward manner, with fifteen chapters that address the physical, chemical, and biological processes that lead to land degradation in various agro-ecosystems. The book delves into the various forms of physical land degradation, such as soil compression, compaction, soil crusting, and slow and highly permeable soils. Additionally, it explores the various forms of chemical land degradation, including iron and aluminum toxicity, soil acidity, acid sulfate soils, soil salinity, and alkalinity. The book also emphasizes the importance of using modern technology, such as Remote Sensing, GIS, and GPS, to assess and monitor the extent of land degradation and its impact on soil and water. The concept of watershed management, based on land capability classification, land irrigability classification, and land suitability classification, is discussed in detail for the management of wastelands. The book also emphasizes the importance of maintaining soil health and soil quality for sustainable crop production. At the end of each chapter, study questions are provided to benefit students.
