This introductory text aims to help students understand the behavior of soils in both the man-made and the natural environment. The book is structured in two parts: Part A is an introduction to general soil properties and processes, while Part B considers soil in relation to the environment, covering topics such as the role of soil in supporting plant growth, in maintaining a clean environment, and in the flux of atmospheric gases. Issues such as acidification, contamination, conservation and erosion are also considered.