Overview

Natural ecosystems provide the basic conditions without which humanity could not survive. Goods and services provided by ecosystems include, for example, provisions of food, fibre and fuel, purification of water and air, cultural and aesthetic benefits, stabilisation and moderation of the Earth's climate, generation and renewal of soil fertility, including nutrient cycling or maintenance of genetic resources as key inputs to crop varieties and livestock breeds, medicines, and other products. However, the ability of natural ecosystems to continue performing these services is seriously threatened since the diversity of plant species and soil are being seriously deteriorated and, in some cases, destroyed. Various studies worldwide have shown that soils do not support intensive annual plant cultivation without fertiliser applications, and even these may not maintain sustainability. Inappropriate silvicultural operations (or the use of land for intensive agricultural purposes) is one of the main causes of soil degradation, and there is therefore worldwide interest in quantifying the loss of soil quality generated by incorrect agricultural operations or forest management practices. This can only happen if people have the right information, skills, and organisations for understanding and dealing with soil and plant diversity issues. The book shows different studies and research works on the topic of soil management, such us soil degradation, microbiological soil properties, bio-fertiliser soil applications, water dynamics in soil profile, soil erosion and sustainability of soils among others. Transferring information and knowledge within the society is crucial for fighting soil management and soil deterioration. In addition, promoting the sustainable use of soil quality will be of growing importance for maintaining society and biodiversity in the years and decades to come.

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9781634832748

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Since 2005, I have been working on different research projects and teaching activities at Castilla La Mancha University. I developed my doctoral thesis in Cuenca Mountains working on Spanish black pine (Pinus nigra Arn. ssp salzmannii) natural regeneration and sustainable forest management. I have also spent some years in different European and national universities and research centers as for example Edinburgh University, Instituto Superior de Agronomia de Lisboa, Tras-Os-Montes e Alto Douro University and Centro de Biologia Aplicada del Segura. Now, I am currently involved on many different research and teaching activities at the Higher Technical School of Agricultural and Forestry Engineering. (Castilla La Mancha University), the Research Institute for Renewable Energy of Albacete (www. http://ier.uclm.es) and the National Open University (U.N.E.D.). My research and teaching interest are related to: 1. - Forest ecosystem management under the sustainability and multifunctionality forestry principles on the new context of climate change. Natural regeneration of forest species. Dendrocronology; 2.- Assessing hydrological behaviour and sediment connectivity in contrasting Mediterranean catchments. Impacts of Global Change.

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