Agricultural Issues Four-Volume Set

Description: The agricultural revolution of the 20th century had an immediate impact on the environment. Modern agriculture seeks to maximise productivity at a minimal environmental cost, ensuring farmers become custodians of the land. This set contains the following volumes from the series: Soils and Food Security (2012, ISBN 978-1-84973-426-4) Soil is essential for growing crops, but its quality and health are often poorly understood. With 40% of the world's agricultural land already degraded, this volume examines what makes "good" quality soil and how better land use can maintain or improve soil quality. The developing issue of food security is also tackled in this book, which is suitable for agronomists, soil scientists, environmental consultants, policy advisors and students. Environmental Impacts of Modern Agriculture (2012, ISBN 978-1-84973-385-4) This comprehensive volume examines the environmental impact made by agriculture in the 21st Century, looking forward to the future with the lessons of the past. Key chapters include impacts of agriculture upon soil quality, greenhouse gas budgets, water-borne pathogens, surface water chemistry, groundwater, agricultural pesticides and the environment, balancing the environmental consequences of agriculture with the needs for food security and positive and negative aspects of agricultural production of biofuels. Sustainability in Agriculture (2005, ISBN 978-0-85404-201-2) This comprehensive book presents an authoritative and balanced overview of many of the key factors that impact upon world agricultural practices. Fully referenced, the book provides a balanced analysis of risks and benefits, taking into account the economic and social impacts. Essential reading for anyone with an interest in the future of agriculture worldwide, especially farmers and students of farming, environmental scientists, government agencies and policy makers. Agricultural Chemicals in the Environment (1996, ISBN 978-0-85404-220-3) Enormous increases in agricultural productivity can properly be associated with the use of chemicals. Agricultural Chemicals and the Environment explores a variety of issues which currently are subject to wide-ranging debate and are of concern not only to the scientific establishment and to students, but also to farmers, landowners, managers, legislators, and to the general public.

Author Biography: The series has been edited by Professors Hester and Harrison since it began in 1994. Professor Roy Harrison OBE is listed by ISI Thomson Scientific (on ISI Web of Knowledge) as a Highly Cited Researcher in the Environmental Science/Ecology category. He has an h-index of 54 (i.e. 54 of his papers have received 54 or more citations in the literature). In 2004 he was appointed OBE for services to environmental science in the New Year Honours List. He was profiled by the Journal of Environmental Monitoring (Vol 5, pp 39N-41N, 2003). Professor Harrison's research interests lie in the field of environment and human health. His main specialism is in air pollution, from emissions through atmospheric chemical and physical transformations to exposure and effects on human health. Much of this work is designed to inform the development of policy. Now an emeritus professor, Professor Ron Hester's current activities in chemistry are mainly as an editor and as an external examiner and assessor. He also retains appointments as external examiner and assessor / adviser on courses, individual promotions, and departmental / subject area evaluations both in the UK and abroad.