Chapter
Water as a Constituent of Soil
Elemental Constitution of Soil
Soils as Suppliers of Ecosystem Services
2 Primary Production Processes in Soils: Roots and Rhizosphere Associates
The Primary Production Process
Nondestructive Techniques
Additional Sources of Primary Production
Symbiotic Associates of Roots
Mycorrhizal Structure and Function
Ecosystem-Level Consequences of ECM Function
Carbon Allocation in the Root/Rhizosphere
Carbon Allocation Costs of Development and Maintenance of Symbiotic Associations with Roots
Future Directions for Research on Roots and Mycorrhizal Function and Biodiversity
3 Secondary Production: Activities of Heterotrophic Organisms—Microbes
Compounds Being Decomposed
Microbial Activities in Relation to Catabolism in Soil Systems
Microbial Abundance and Distribution in Soil
Techniques for Measuring Microbial Communities
Direct Measures of Numbers and Biomass
Indirect Measures of Biomass
The Chloroform Fumigation and Incubation (CFI) Technique
The Chloroform Fumigation and Extraction (CFE) Technique
Physiological Methods: SIR Technique
Additional Physiological Methods of Measuring Microbial Activity
Enzyme Assays and Measures of Biological Activities in Soils
Direct Methods of Determining Soil Microbial Activity
Soil Sterilization and Partial Sterilization Techniques
Conceptual Models of Microbes in Soil Systems
Root–Rhizosphere Microbe Models and Experiments
Models: Organism and Process-Oriented
4 Secondary Production: Activities of Heterotrophic Organisms—The Soil Fauna
Methods for Extracting and Counting Protozoa
Distribution of Protozoa in Soil Profiles
Impacts of Protozoa on Ecosystem Function
Features of Body Plan and General Ecology
Nematode Zones of Activity in Soil
Nematode Extraction Techniques
Population Growth and Reproduction
Collembolan Feeding Habits
Collembolan Impacts on Soil Ecosystems
Abundance and Diversity of Oribatid Mites
Oribatid Impacts on Soil Ecosystems
Importance of the Macroarthropods
Sampling Techniques for Gastropods
Earthworm Distribution and Abundance
Influence on Soil Processes
Earthworm Sampling and Identification
General Attributes of Fauna in Soil Systems
Faunal Feedbacks on Microbial Community Composition and Diversity
5 Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling
Resource Quality, Climate, and Litter Breakdown
Dynamics of Litter Breakdown
Direct Measurement of Litter Breakdown
Patterns of Mass Loss During Decomposition
Effects of Fauna on Litter Breakdown Rates
Nutrient Movement During Decomposition
Nutrient Cycling Links in Soil Systems
Role of Soil Fauna in Organic Matter Dynamics and Nutrient Turnover
Faunal Impacts in Applied Ecology—Agroecosystems
Applied Ecology in Forested Ecosystems
6 Soil Food Webs: Detritivory and Microbivory in Soils
Physiological Ecology of Soil Organisms
Energy Available for Detrital Food Chains and Webs
A Hierarchical Approach to Organisms in Soils
Future Research Prospects
7 Soil Biodiversity and Linkages to Soil Processes
Biodiversity in Soils and Its Impacts on Terrestrial Ecosystem Function
Heterogeneity of Carbon Substrates and Effects on Soil Biodiversity
Impacts of Species Richness on Ecosystem Function
Models, Microcosms, and Soil Biodiversity
Experimental Additions and Deletions in Soil Biodiversity Studies
Problems of Concern in Soil Biodiversity Studies
Why Is Soil Diversity So High?
Biogeographical Trends in Diversity of Soil Organisms
8 Future Developments in Soil Ecology
Roles of Soils in Carbon Sequestration
Roles of Soils in the Global Carbon Cycle
Problems in Modeling Soil Carbon Dynamics
Biological Interactions in Soils and Global Change
Ecology of Invasive Species in Soil Systems: An Increasing Problem in Soil Ecology
Soils and “Gaia”: Possible Mechanisms for Evolution of “the Fitness of the Soil Environment?”
Soil Ecology in the Third Millennium
9 Laboratory and Field Exercises in Soil Ecology
Description of a Minirhizotron
Installation of the Minirhizotrons
Observation and Recording
Getting Data from the Videotape
Automated Root Length Measures
Materials and Supplies Needed
Litter Decomposition Studies
Analyses for Soil Microbial Biomass
The Chloroform-Fumigation K2SO4-Extraction Method
Preparation and Handling of Potassium Sulfate
Potassium Sulfate Extractions
Sampling and Enumeration of Nematodes
Sampling Tools and Precautions
Nematode Extraction: Baermann Funnel Method
Materials and Supplies Needed
Killing and Fixing Nematodes with Hot and Cold Formalin (5%)
Materials and Supplies Needed
Sampling and Enumeration of Microarthropods
Methods for the Study of Microarthropods
Extraction of Microarthropods from Samples
Sample Sorting and Identification
Sampling and Enumeration of Macroarthropods
Methods for Sampling Macroarthropods
Berlese or Tullgren Extraction
Sampling and Enumeration of Earthworms
Identification of Earthworms
Sampling and Enumeration of Enchytraeids
Collection of Enchytraeids
Identification of Enchytraeids
Fundamentals of Soil Ecology
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