Soil EcologyA number of excellent textbooks on general ecology are currently available but‚ to date‚ none have been dedicated to the study of soil ecology. This is important because the soil‚ as the ‘epidermis’ of our planet‚ is the major component of the terrestrial biosphere. In the present age‚ it is difficult to understand how one could be interested in general ecology without having some knowledge of the soil and further‚ to study the soil without taking into account its biological components and ecological setting. It is this deficiency that the two authors‚ Patrick Lavelle and Alister Spain‚ have wished to address in writing their text. A reading of this work‚ entitled ‘Soil Ecology’‚ shows it to be very complete and extremely innovative in its conceptual plan. In addition‚ it follows straightforwardly through a development which unfolds over four substantial chapters. Firstly‚ the authors consider the soil as a porous and finely divided medium of b- organomineral origin‚ whose physical structure and organisation foster the development of a multitude of specifically adapted organisms (microbial communities‚ roots of higher plants‚ macro-invertebrates). |
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abundance accumulation acid activity aggregates amounts animals ants areas associated bacteria biological biomass capacity carbon casts changes Chapter characteristic chemical clay climate colonies communities components comprise concentrations considered contents decomposing decomposition densities depending depth distribution dominant earthworms ecological ecosystems effects elements energy environments estimated et al example factors feeding Figure forest formation functional fungi further greater groups growth higher horizon important increase influence interactions invertebrates Lavelle layers lead less levels limited litter living lower major materials micro-organisms microbial minerals mounds nature nests nitrogen nutrient occur organic matter parent particles particularly patterns physical plant populations pores potential present processes production properties proportion range rates relatively result role roots savanna scales seasonal soil organic matter solution species spodosols structure substantial surface Table temperate temperature termites trees tropical types values variation vegetation weathering
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