This open access book synthesizes leading-edge science and management information about forest
and rangeland soils of the United States. It offers ways to better understand changing
conditions and their impacts on soils and explores directions that positively affect the
future of forest and rangeland soil health. This book outlines soil processes and identifies
the research needed to manage forest and rangeland soils in the United States. Chapters give an
overview of the state of forest and rangeland soils research in the Nation including
multi-decadal programs (chapter 1) then summarizes various human-caused and natural impacts
and their effects on soil carbon hydrology biogeochemistry and biological diversity
(chapters 2-5). Other chapters look at the effects of changing conditions on forest soils in
wetland and urban settings (chapters 6-7). Impacts include: climate change severe wildfires
invasive species pests and diseases pollution and land use change. Chapter 8 considers
approaches to maintaining or regaining forest and rangeland soil health in the face of these
varied impacts. Mapping monitoring and data sharing are discussed in chapter 9 as ways to
leverage scientific and human resources to address soil health at scales from the landscape to
the individual parcel (monitoring networks data sharing Web sites and educational
soils-centered programs are tabulated in appendix B). Chapter 10 highlights opportunities for
deepening our understanding of soils and for sustaining long-term ecosystem health and appendix
C summarizes research needs. Nine regional summaries (appendix A) offer a more detailed look at
forest and rangeland soils in the United States and its Affiliates.
