Amazonian Dark Earths: Origin, Properties, Management [Hardcover]

Johannes Lehmann (Author), Dirse C. Kern (Author), Bruno Glaser (Author), William I. Woods (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1402018398 | ISBN-13: 978-1402018398 | Publication Date: January 31, 2004 | Edition: 1

Dark Earths are a testament to vanished civilizations of the Amazon Basin, but may also answer how large societies could sustain intensive agriculture in an environment of infertile soils. This book examines their origin, properties, and management. Questions remain: were they intentionally produced or a by-product of habitation. Additional new and multidisciplinary perspectives by leading experts may pave the way for the next revolution in soil management in the humid tropics.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews: "Two symposia on the Amazonian Dark Earths were held in 2001, and these were followed in 2002 by the First International Workshop on the subject in Manaus and Santerem, Brazil. … The Workshop succeeded in its aims of bringing a great deal of information from disparate fields of research to a wide international audience. The editors … provide a … comprehensive view of current knowledge, understanding, methods of research, and prospects for land management." (R. Webster, European Journal of Soil Science, Vol. 56, 2005) "Amazonian Dark Earths … represents the state of the art in the study of archaeological sediments in the Amazon basin. … The volume, composed of 23 chapters, explores diverse aspects of the origins, properties, and management of Amazonian dark earths (ADE) … . This volume is a critical contribution to ADE research and of great relevance to archaeology, soil science, and contemporary development. … the editors and contributors should be congratulated for establishing the benchmark for ADE studies." (Michael J. Heckenberger, Journal of Anthropological Research, Vol. 61, 2005)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 523 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (January 31, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402018398
• ISBN-13: 978-1402018398
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,461,293 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Academia, March 27, 2008

By 

emmfullness - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amazonian Dark Earths: Origin, Properties, Management (Hardcover)

This is an excellent resource if you're actually interested in the study of soils, agriculture, or amazonia as a whole. No, this is not intended as a how-to guide and if that's all you're looking for, I'd go for a basic gardening book and look to this resource only if you're really interested in the science behind the art. THIS IS AN ACADEMIC PIECE OF LITERATURE! And an excellent piece of it at that. Since I had no background in the study of ecology or of agriculture or soils when I read this I had a hard time following it which is why I had to go back and do a lot of background research before digging into it again. It's really not light reading and clearly wasn't meant to be so, but has enough information in it to satisfy a curious mind!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The alternative to an expensive academic book, March 18, 2011

By 

Eric - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amazonian Dark Earths: Origin, Properties, Management (Hardcover)

Since the prior reviewers noted that this is a collection of papers presented at the Terra Pret Symposiums--I might recommend you Google Terra Preta and download the simple Powerpoint that exists online. It was made by a husband and wife who created their own Terra Preta soil in Irvine.

1 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Save your money, February 9, 2008

By 

M. Haller "Reading is FUNdamental" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Amazonian Dark Earths: Origin, Properties, Management (Hardcover)

I have an interest in organic gardening and from what I have read about the properties of Amazonian Dark Earths, I believed this would be a very desirable book to own. I was mistaken. It is basically a bunch of scientific papers bundled together and given a cover. It is NOT a how to book. Save your money!