Soils are a vital resource in agricultural production.

This book aims to provide an overview of several topics concerning agricultural soil management. Without claiming to be exhaustive, it nevertheless provides a useful basis for understanding how agricultural soils function, and how to manage these functions within agroecosystems. Our approach to soils is multidisciplinary, ranging from natural sciences to human and social sciences.

Agricultural Soil Science also highlights the characteristics of soils in specific geographical regions (Mediterranean soils, tropical soils) and environments (urban soils). The content of this book is based on the training programs run by its authors at the higher education establishments where they teach.

At a time of ecological transition, soils must once again play a central role in the management of agroecosystems. This book sets out to play its part in making that happen.

Yves Coquet and Joël Michelin are teacher-researchers at AgroParisTech, the French National Institute for Life and Environmental Sciences and Industries. They lead the Master 2 program "Soil Management and Ecosystem Services", a course entirely dedicated to soils.