The concept of soil structure has many aspects. Soil structure, as used in this publication, refers to the physical constitution of soil material as expressed by the size, shape and arrangements of soil particles and voids and its associated properties. The measurement of soil structure is complex, and it is unlikely that attempts to measure it completely will ever be fully successful or that it wil be possible to define a single, unique set of measurement procedures for all soils. Most workers compromise by measuring only that which they consider relevant to their particular purpose. In addition, some research workers make special, specific measurements that they regard to be important in relation to the specific needs of their own projects. In the total context of soil structure studies this all adds up to a large number of measurements which are made in different ways. In this book, reference methods which are recommended for workers carrying out EEC funded research projects are briefly described and sources which can provide specific information are cited. Special emphasis is given to operational aspects of the methodology. This represents a unique feature of this particular publication. Usually, methods are described in technical, scientific terms only. Operational aspects are, however, curcial for practical applications. Emphasis in the book is therefore placed on such aspects as cost, complexity, duration, accuracy and applicability in various soils and landscapes. In addition to the usual monodisciplinary treatment, interdisciplinary approaches to the subject have also been selected. Soil structure assessment has so far been widely covered from either an exclusive soil-physical or a morphological soil-survey point of view. A modest attempt is made in this book to indicate areas where a combined approach might be profitable.
