Dr. habil. Fayez Alaily, Technische Universität Berlin, obtained a B.Sc. in Agriculture from the University of Alexandria (Egypt), in 1961, a diploma in agriculture from the University of Hohenheim, Germany, in 1968, and a Ph.D. in soil science from the same institution in 1972. He joined the Technical University of Berlin as an assistant professor at the Institute of Ecology in 1976 and was promoted to associate professor in soil science in 1984. He has been retired since 2004.

• Preface and Acknowledgements.- Introduction.- Climate.- Hydrology.- Geology and Lithology.- Landscape development.- Geomorphology.- General soil properties.- Physical weathering.- Genesis of soil cracks.- Soluble salts, gypsum and carbonates.- Soil typology.- Soil landscapes.- Ecological systems.- Land suitability for irrigated agriculture.- Appendix.- Index.

Dr. habil. Fayez Alaily, Technische Universität Berlin, obtained a B.Sc. in Agriculture from the University of Alexandria (Egypt), in 1961, a diploma in agriculture from the University of Hohenheim, Germany, in 1968, and a Ph.D. in soil science from the same institution in 1972. He joined the Technical University of Berlin as an assistant professor at the Institute of Ecology in 1976 and was promoted to associate professor in soil science in 1984. He has been retired since 2004.

• Preface and Acknowledgements.- Introduction.- Climate.- Hydrology.- Geology and Lithology.- Landscape development.- Geomorphology.- General soil properties.- Physical weathering.- Genesis of soil cracks.- Soluble salts, gypsum and carbonates.- Soil typology.- Soil landscapes.- Ecological systems.- Land suitability for irrigated agriculture.- Appendix.- Index.