This book describes the soils of Israel, offering details of their distribution, chemical, physical, and mineralogical characteristics and agricultural attributes. The pathways to the formation of each soil type are discussed against the background of such soil-forming factors as climate, lithology and physiography. The distribution of the different soil types is explained, based on the relationships between soils and soil-forming factors. This the first reference on the topic since 1948.

Résumé

Eleven chapters present a concise description of the soils of Israel, including their distribution, chemical, physical mineralogical characteristics and agricultural attributes. On the background of the various soil-forming factors such as climate, lithology and physiography the pathways of their formation is discussed. Based on the relationships between soils and soil-forming factors, the distribution of the different soil types is explained. An ample bibliography backs up this exposition, supplemented by numerous figures, tables, colour plates and maps. The description of the contemporaneous surface soils is supplemented by a review of the numerous paleosols with their paleogeographic significance.

Contenu
Factors of Soil Formation.- Soils of the Coastal Plain and the Shefela.- Soils of The Negev.- Soils of the Hills and Mountain Range.- Soils of the Yizreel and Jordan Valleys.- Soils of the Eastern Galilee and the Golan Heights: Basalt and Pyroclastics Derived Soils.- Paleosols in Israel.- Saline and Alkaline Soils in Israel.- Soil Classification in Israel.