Everything about Soil Ecology totally explained
Soil ecology is the study of the interactions among soil organisms, and between biotic and abiotic aspects of the soil environment. It is particularly concerned with the
cycling of nutrients, formation and stabilization of the
pore structure, the spread and vitality of
pathogens, and the biodiversity of this rich
biological community.
Overview
Soil is made up of a multitude of
physical,
chemical, and
biological entities, with many interactions occurring among them. Soil is a variable mixture of broken and weathered minerals and decaying organic matter. Together with the proper amounts of air and water, it supplies, in part, sustenance for plants as well as mechanical support.
The diversity and abundance of
soil life exceeds that of any other
ecosystem. Plant establishment, competitiveness, and growth is governed largely by the ecology below-ground, so understanding this system is an essential component of plant sciences and terrestrial ecology.
Features of the ecosystem
- Moisture itself becomes a major limiting factor on land. Terrestrial organisms are constantly confronted with the problem of dehydration. Transpiration or evaporation of water from plant surfaces is an energy dissipating process unique to the terrestrial environment.
- Temperature variations and extremes are more pronounced in the air than in the water medium.
- On the other hand, the rapid circulation of air throughout the globe results in a ready mixing and remarkably constant content of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
- Although soil offers solid support, air does not. Storing skeletons have been evolved in both land plants and animals and also special means of locomotion have been evolved in the latter.
- Land, unlike the ocean, isn't continuous; there are important geographical barriers to free movement.
- The nature of the substrate, although important in water is especially vital in terrestrial environment. Soil, not air, is the source of highly variable nutrients; it's a highly developed ecological subsystem.
Soil food web
An incredible diversity of organisms make up the soil
food web. They range in size from the tiniest one-celled
bacteria,
algae,
fungi, and
protozoa, to the more complex
nematodes and micro-
arthropods, to the visible
earthworms,
insects, small
vertebrates, and
plants. As these organisms eat, grow, and move through the soil, they make it possible to have clean water, clean air, healthy plants, and moderated water flow.
There are many ways that the soil food web is an integral part of landscape processes.
Soil organisms decompose organic compounds, including
manure, plant residues, and
pesticides, preventing them from entering water and becoming pollutants. They
sequester nitrogen and other nutrients that might otherwise enter groundwater, and they fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, making it available to plants. Many organisms enhance soil aggregation and
porosity, thus increasing
infiltration and reducing
surface runoff. Soil organisms prey on crop pests and are food for above-ground animals.
Research
Research interests span many aspects of soil ecology and
microbiology, Fundamentally, researchers are interested in understanding the interplay among
microorganisms,
fauna, and plants, the
biogeochemical processes they carry out, and the physical environment in which their activities take place, and applying this knowledge to address environmental problems.
Example research projects are to examine the
biogeochemistry and microbial ecology of
septic drain field soils used to treat domestic
wastewater, the role of anecic
earthworms in controlling the movement of water and
nitrogen cycle in
agricultural soils, and the assessment of soil quality in turf production.
Of particular interest
as of 2006 is to understand the roles and functions of
arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in natural ecosystems. The effect of
anthropic soil conditions on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and the production of
glomalin by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are both of particular interest due to their roles in
sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Soil Ecology'.
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