Introduction

Abstract

Nearly one-third of Earth’s total land area is covered by a remarkably complex and richly alive skin: forest soil. This layer – more membrane than crust – is of central importance to the survival of most organisms on our planet. Forest soils help provide an abundance of goods and services to humans including food, fuel, timber, medicines, water, oxygen, biodiversity, climate and hydrological regulation, not to mention a wealth of spiritual, cultural, and aesthetic benefts. For this, humanity is outright lucky but also profoundly challenged with the responsibility for stewarding this natural resource.

Citation

Busse, Matt; Giardina, Christian P.; Morris, Dave M.; Page-Dumroese, Deborah S. 2019. Introduction. In: Busse, Matt; Giardina, Christian P.; Morris, Dave M.; Page-Dumroese, Deborah S., eds. Global change and forest soils: Cultivating stewardship of a finite natural resource. Oxford, UK: Elsevier Science & Technology: 3-7. Chapter 1.