This book describes and comprehensively illustrates the soils of the world in accordance with the worldwide WRB classification. The structure of the book follows the ecozone concept. For every ecozone, location, climate and vegetation as well as soil formation and distribution are presented. All soils representative of the corresponding ecozone are then described in detail: definition, properties, distribution, use, classification, genesis. Over 260 photographs illustrate soil profiles, soil details and landscapes. Instructive maps and graphs help understand soil properties and soil-forming processes and make the publication an excellent reference book about the world's soils.

Wolfgang Zech is professor emeritus for Soil Science and Soil Geography at the University of Bayreuth (Germany) and the lead author of the German edition of this book. He is honorary member of the German Soil Science Society.

Peter Schad is a lecturer for Soil Science at the Technical University of Munich (Germany) and the lead author of the present English edition of this book. He is the Chair of the Working Group World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) of the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) and the lead author of the current edition of the WRB.

Gerd Hintermaier-Erhard is a geologist and soil scientist. Together with Wolfgang Zech he published in 1997 a 'Soil Science Dictionary' and in 2002 the first edition of 'Soils of the World' (both in German).

1 Introduction.- 2 Polar-Subpolar Zone (Tundra Zone).- 3 Boreal Zone (Taiga Zone).- 4 Humid Mid-Latitudes.- 5 Dry Mid-Latitudes.- 6 Subtropics with Winter Rain.- 7 Subtropics with Year-Round rain.- 8 Dry Tropics and Subtropics.- 9 Tropics with Summer Rain.- 10 Tropics with Year-Round Rain.- 11 Mountain Soils.- 12 Ubiquitous Soils