Abstract
Soil has long been deemed important by agricultural concerns, however, it was only within the last 150 years that rail travel and, later, large-scale civic works made the study of soil important to civil engineers. The paper shows that the sub-study of civil engineering that is dedicated to the study of soil is more commonly known as soil mechanics. This field is used to assess the soil topography of land before major public or private construction projections are created.

From the Paper
"The five main types of soil particles that are encountered by civil engineers include (in order of particle size) boulders, gravel, sand, silt cohesive, and clay. Boulders are the largest elements in soil and usually present a problem to civil engineers, but may be used in a place where the soil is otherwise soft to form a foundation upon which to build a road or other civic work. Historically, boulders were used for this purpose before it was cost-effective to introduce other materials. There are cost efficiencies in the use of boulders: they can often be found where bedrock is not near the surface of the earth, such as in the great lakes region where they were deposited during the last ice age."

Tags:mechanical, properties, Direct, Shear, Bearing, Ratio

Abstract
This paper focuses on sugar cane and issues relating to its interaction with soil. Sugar cane places a heavy burden on the soil on which it grows. It also releases extremely large quantities of phosphorous into the surrounding environment.

Abstract
Virtually everyone is aware of the importance of agriculture in supporting the lives of the more than six billion people on the planet., but the fact that food is quite plentiful in Western societies and available at a relatively low cost can hide the crisis that exists in agriculture. This crisis is outlined in the articles "Averting a Disaster", published in "International Agricultural Development", and "Assault on the Earth" by Elena Wilken. Close examination of these articles shows that, together, they provide a comprehensive look at the problem of soil degradation and loss. An attempt is made to outline possible solutions, but these articles fail to pay enough attention to the underlying cause of this situation and an area where the greatest chance for success in solving problems exists, namely, the lack of a global management system.

Abstract
After providing a brief autobiography of the author of "Silent Spring", Rachel Carson, the paper discusses the book itself in a chapter-by-chapter summary. "Silent Spring" was Carson's way of presenting to the public the dangers of the use of DDT. The paper also includes quotes from the text.

From the Paper
"In Detroit, Michigan the Michigan Department of Agriculture decided to cover their city with Aldrin pellets, the most dangerous poison at the time (and the cheapest), to destroy their population of Japanese Beetles which had arrived in Detroit on plants imported from Mississippi. Carelessly they sprayed the pellets over the human population and when it rained over night the pellets were watered down and puddles of lethal poison lay scattered across the ground."

Tags:borneo, ddd, ecologist

Abstract
There is wide interest for use of satellites to measure environmental factors globally--with respect to alleged global warming and to address feeding the world. Among the most fundamental bases of agriculture is the water content of soil during crop growth. So, inference of soil moisture through remote sensing techniques has been researched for two decades.

From the Paper
"SOIL MOISTURE AND ITS INFERENCE VIA REMOTE SENSING

INTRODUCTION
There is wide interest for use of satellites to measure environmental factors globally--with respect to alleged global warming and to address feeding the world. Among the most fundamental bases of agriculture is the water content of soil during crop growth. So, inference of soil moisture through remote sensing techniques has been researched for two decades.

SOIL MOISTURE
Soil moisture is water held--Marshall uses "retention" (16:7)--within earthen pore spaces. Ogrosky and Mockus tabulated "Moisture Holding Capacities," from 0.4 in./ft. of soil for sand to 2.00-3.00 in./ft. for peats (18:21-83). These are maximum amounts soils will retain; often soils are drier than this."

Abstract
This paper examines the disastrous effects of deforestation. The paper explains that deforestation is detrimental to all of the plant and animal species of the world, including humans. The paper associates deforestation with a host of negative consequences and states that it stands poised to threaten the future of life on earth. The paper discusses habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity as a result of deforestation. The moral objections to deforestation are presented in the paper.

From the Paper
"Deforestation can also have more immediate affects. Clear cutting of forests has been connected to regional increases in mercury levels in lakes and drinking water (Box, 2003). The natural biologic cycles within forests commonly retain the mercury that is released into the atmosphere from coal power plants and incinerators. When the forests are destroyed this mercury is left behind to seep into the ground. This poses an immediate and glaring problem for any members of nearby communities. This remains a significant problem, especially in industrialized nations, who have been forced to adopt more expensive water treatment practices as a result."

Tags:trees, plants, animals

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to examine ancient and modern winemaking techniques. Just as the social significance of wine has remained fairly unchanged over the years, so has the way in which it is produced. The author specifically discusses the relationship that exists between modern techniques and those described by the ancient sources.

From the paper:

"This paper has shown the relationship that exists between modern winemaking techniques and those described by the ancient sources. Although modern technologies have been applied to the process, the basic techniques and methods of production remain predominantly unchanged. Through the examination of all wine production processes from the creation of a vineyard to the storage of wine, this paper has compared the similarities and differences between ancient and modern techniques."

Tags:antiquity, grapes, harvest, vineyard, viticulture, wine, winery

Abstract
This paper examines how rice is a grain cereal plant of the grass family and how in terms of total production it is the world's second leading food crop. In particular, it looks at how rice will continue to play a major role in feeding billions of people in the world especially in Asia and how the goals and ambitions of researchers today must be to develop rice cultivars and methods of cultivation which enhance the crop yield and are resistant to disease and adverse weather conditions.

Outline
Abstract
Biology of the Rice Plant
Regions of Rice Cultivation and Factors Affecting Yield
Preparation for Planting
Soil Type
Whole Farm Planning
Calendar of Events
Propagation of Rice
Recent Developments
Irrigation
Pests and Diseases
Harvesting
Post Harvest Issues
Processing
Environmental Effects of Rice Cultivation
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"The rice plant is usually classified as the genus Oryza in the grass family (Graminae). The rice plant has a number of jointed stems, called culms, which measure between 38cm to 244cm. The culms are composed of hollow internodes that join at solid nodes and arise from the shallow fibrous root system. A few of the nodes become elongated as the plant matures. The upper internode supports the panicle, which is the head of the rice plant. The flat grass-like leaves of the rice plant have a basal sheath which surrounds the culm. The blade of the leaf is set at an angle to the sheath. The panicle can range from open to compact and from erect to droopy. In most varieties it is dense and droopy."

Tags:agriculture, asia, backcrossing, biology, china, crop, cultivars, drainage, environment, farm, harvesting, hybridisation, pollination, water

Abstract
"Introduction: Remote Sensing and Clay (Soil Moisture Content)
Remote sensing is defined as the acquisition of information about the condition and/or state of a target by a sensor that is not in direct physical contact with it.

From the Paper
"Introduction: Remote Sensing and Clay (Soil Moisture Content)
Remote sensing is defined as the acquisition of information about the condition and/or state of a target by a sensor that is not in direct physical contact with it. This information is normally transmitted in the form of electromagnetic radiation (emr); hence it is a non-destructive, silent technology. The source of this energy may be 'active' or 'passive.'

The relationship between the 'source' signal interacting with a target and the 'received' signal being sensed provides information about the earth's surface and is used in remote sensing to characterize the surface. The information about an object is of 2 kinds: (1) it relates to the objects morphology (size, shape, and texture) from the way it is illuminated and shadowed by its relationship to the source of light and; (2) the ..."

Abstract
Soil is an incredibly important resource and maintaining the fertility of our soils is a pressing issue at the forefront of environmental science as we try to feed an expanding global population. Queensland, Australia is one area of the world where soil is being depleted and degraded at an alarming rate. Through an examination of this specific resource management problem, this essay analyzes the concept of impact assessment to develop fair, efficient and effective solutions to this environmental problem.

From the Paper
?The preservation and conservation of the worlds soil is a serious resource management problem. The sustainable use of our soil will be a major challenge for the human species for many years to come. When assessing the impact of any resource management problem and developing feasible solutions to that problem certain factors must be taken into consideration. Examining the fairness, efficiency and effectiveness of a proposed solution is paramount to its potential success. A solution for soil loss that is completely unfair to farmers or ranchers will be rigorously opposed and impossible to implement.?

Tags:agriculture, argoforestry, arid, crop, degradation, depletion, desert, desertification, farmland, land, management, marginal, resource, salinisation