| This book describes statistical methods suitable for analyzing variation in soil and for relating soil to its environment. The authors stress sound sampling technique and show how to use the results for estimation, prediction, and efficient design. They show how classification can enhance the utility of survey data and lead to economies in sampling. Optimal methods for creating classification are described, and alternative multivariate methods are set forth for identifying relations such as principal component and co-ordinate analysis. The book expands and revises the author's Quantitative and Numerical Methods in Soil Classification and Survey. It includes information on regression, as used in both statistics and natural science. Three new chapters devoted to geostatistics introduce regionalized variable theory, and cover such applications as the variogram, its modelling, kriging, and isorithmic mapping. As with the first edition, the book stresses the full quantitative survey of land resources, measurement, and estimation. Many simple illustrations and tables are included to clarify the text. |