Dirt: the erosion of civilization

David R. Montgomery is a geomorphologist who studies how landscapes change through time, argues persuasively that soil is humanity’s most essential natural resource and essentially linked to modern civilization’s survival. In “Dirt: the erosion of civilization” he traces the history of agriculture, showing that when humans exhausted the soil in the past, their societies collapsed, or they moved on. But moving on is not an option for future generations, he warns: there isn’t enough land. This book provides fascinating insights into one of our most precious natural resources and gives important pointers toward sustainable land management