There is more information about soils on the following websites.

Soil section of Defra website

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/land/soil/index.htm

SEERAD - SB 06-53 Soil Protection in Scotland (pdf 840k)
This briefing explains the nature, importance and threats to Scottish soils in advance of a national soil protection strategy expected in 2007. Sustainable soil management is vital for farming and forestry incomes, also for supporting wildlife and unique landscapes in Scotland. Soils management has the capacity to exacerbate or mitigate climate change. Soils loss is the major cause of diffuse pollution in Scottish rivers. Ongoing soil pollution, sealing and erosion have many detrimental impacts for human and ecosystem health.

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/research/SB06-53.pdf

Soil protection and climate change, 25 September 2006
Plans to establish a Scottish soil monitoring system and to develop a soil strategy...
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2006/09/25102611

Two of the three reports mentioned in this News Release are on the Scottish Executive website:

Review of Greenhouse Gas Life Cycle Emissions, Air Pollution Impacts and Economics of Biomass Production and Consumption in Scotland
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/09/22094104/0

Report on the current state and threats to Scotland's soil resource
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/09/21115639/0

National Soil Resources Institute
NSRI was newly established in August 2001 in order to create a unified Institute with the necessary scientific expertise and the research capability to focus on the long-term development of the sustainable management of soil and land resources both in the UK and around the world.

http://www.silsoe.cranfield.ac.uk/nsri/

HGCA Soil-to-Crop Initiative
The soil2crop initiative aimed to help growers improve farm profitability, by increasing their knowledge of soil management and identifying cultivation practices more appropriate to varying conditions.

http://www.hgca.com/soil2crop/

Soil Management Initiative (SMI)
SMI is an independent organisation that aims to promote the adoption of cultivation systems designed to protect and enhance soil quality, and to minimise soil erosion and water pollution, whilst maintaining or enhancing farm economic returns.

http://www.smi.org.uk/index.html

Environment Sensitive Farming - practical advice for land managers
Presentations for farmers from ADAS/Defra RDS

http://www.environmentsensitivefarming.co.uk/presentations/soil.html?view_all=true

The Soil Association
Technical information on soil and compost

http://www.soilassociation.org/web/sa/psweb.nsf/B2/soil_compost.html

SAC - Crops and Soil Systems
Description of the Crop and Soils Systems research programme

http://www.sac.ac.uk/research/cropsandsoils/

Macaulay Research Institute
Description of soils research programme

http://www.macaulay.ac.uk/soilquality/