Table of Contents “...The Geography of Soils -- Key Learningconcepts -- Geosystemsnow Desertification: Declining Soils and Agriculture in Earth's Drylands -- Soil-Formation Factors and Soil Profiles -- Natural Factors in Soil Development -- Soil Horizons -- Soil Characteristics -- Physical Properties -- Chemical Properties -- Human Impacts on Soils -- Soil Erosion -- Desertification -- Soil Classification -- Soil Taxonomy -- The 12 Soil Orders of the Soil Taxonomy -- Geosystemsconnection -- Key Learningconcepts review -- Geosystems in Action 18 Biological Activity in Soils -- Focus Study 18.1 Pollution -- Critical Thinking 18.1 Soil Losses -- What to Do? ...”