Soil map of the world [antikvár]

The project for the FAO-Unesco Soil Map of the World was undertaken following a recommendation of the International Society of Soil Science. The work was completed between 1961 and 1978 and provided for the first time a soil map covering all the continents of the world with a uniform legend. The map sheets were accompanied by ten volumes; the first presented the definitions of the elements of the Legend and the other nine provided explanatory texts for the soil maps covering each of the main regions of the world. This work, the product of international cooperation among soil scientists, fiiled a gap in the knowledge of the soil resources of the world. Widespread use has promoted comparison and correlation of soils, enhanced our understanding of soil conditions and potentialities, and provided a useful instrument in planning agricultural and economic development. Soil science constantly advances and the maps and the definitions of soil units need to be updated as new knowledge and surveys throw fresh light on the soil cover of the world. Reprinting of the map sheets is not envisaged but future digitized storage of new information in a geographic information system will permit up-to-date printouts to be produced. This revised legend will be used for such updating. It should be noted that the published Soil Map of the World is still the only complete coverage of world soils and the originál legend continues to be used with it. The revised legend will alsó provide an improved starting point for soil classification at larger scales in countries where the FAO-Unesco Legend is adopted as the basis for the national classification. This revision was carried out mainly by technical staff of FAO with major inputs from the International Soil Research and Information Centre, which therefore has been added to the cover. Soil scientists from many countries contributed their comments and their assistance is gratefully acknowledged. This second edition in English is necessary because the first edition is out of print; somé corrections and amendments have been made to the text.