This book adopts brand new and communicable international soil classification system which is different from any earlier books of this kind. The vast geographical extent and the long-term agricultural history have nurtured the long lasting Chinese civilization, in which soil use and management is essential to the sustainable development of the society. To feed the most populous country of the world and to maintain the ecological and environmental functions of soil resource, the better use and management of soil resources is critical and for this goal soil knowledge is essential. Moreover, the experience of sustainable use of soil resources in China is also valuable to the world. The long-term intensive soil use along with soil changes are excellent topics of modern soil-environmental studies. This is the first book in English language in the recent 20 years, covering fully the formation, genesis, classification, distribution, and use of the diversified soil resources in China. The major soil characteristics in relation to soil use and management, soil quality change, soil degradation are also presented. As a special book, it aims to use up-to-date research results and to provide a clear picture of soil resources in China, with new perspectives.

ZHANG Gan-Lin, Ph.D., Professor of Soil Science, joined the Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1990. ZHANG Gan-Lin was Outsatnding Young Scholar Grantee of NSFC (2006), Visiting Scholar at Kiel University (1994-1995), Visiting Professor at Dusiburg-Essen University (1998,2000); he was Chair of Soil Genesis Commisssion, currently Chair of  Soils in Space and Time Disvision, IUSS.

GONG Zitong, Professor of Soil Science, joined the Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1953. Experienced soil scientist with widely recognized achievements in soil genesis, classification, and geochemistry, he is also Chief Founder of Chinese Soil Taxonomy. He has done extensive international visits and is involved in many collaboration. He also is Steering Committee Member of WRB, IUSS.