This chapter evaluates soil quality and agricultural development. Estimates of soil erosion, in terms of losses to farm income range from a high of $25 billion per year to a low of $100 million per year. Crosson estimates that the $100 million figure is the most reliable. Crosson notes that this...

Although it is a very important natural resource, soils remain understudied by environmental and natural resource economists. During last decades, soil scientists improved significantly their understanding of soil dynamics and functioning. In this paper, we propose a reflection on how soil...