Richard D. Bardgett
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- April 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780198525035
- eISBN:
- 9780191728181
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198525035.003.0007
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
This chapter reviews the discussions in the preceding chapters and presents some concluding thoughts from the author. The biology of soil is of fundamental importance to the sustainability of life on ...
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This chapter reviews the discussions in the preceding chapters and presents some concluding thoughts from the author. The biology of soil is of fundamental importance to the sustainability of life on Earth. Not only will new insights into the biology of soil improve our understanding of how managed and natural ecosystems are structured and function, it will better enable humans to predict the effects on ecosystems of human-induced global changes and enhance our ability to restore degraded ecosystems. However, soil remains the least understood, and perhaps most abused, habitat on Earth.Less
This chapter reviews the discussions in the preceding chapters and presents some concluding thoughts from the author. The biology of soil is of fundamental importance to the sustainability of life on Earth. Not only will new insights into the biology of soil improve our understanding of how managed and natural ecosystems are structured and function, it will better enable humans to predict the effects on ecosystems of human-induced global changes and enhance our ability to restore degraded ecosystems. However, soil remains the least understood, and perhaps most abused, habitat on Earth.
Louise E. Jackson, Martin Potthoff, Kerri L. Steenwerth, Anthony T. O’geen, Mark R. Stromberg, and Kate M. Scow
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780520252202
- eISBN:
- 9780520933972
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of California Press
- DOI:
- 10.1525/california/9780520252202.003.0009
- Subject:
- Biology, Plant Sciences and Forestry
This chapter describes soil conditions that support grasslands in California and discusses how land use history in California has influenced soil biology and soil organic C cycling. It begins by ...
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This chapter describes soil conditions that support grasslands in California and discusses how land use history in California has influenced soil biology and soil organic C cycling. It begins by describing California soils that support grasslands and considers some of the soil factors that influence the potential vs. actual distribution of grasslands in the state. Then, some examples of relationships between soil organic C cycling and the composition of microbial and plant communities are described after conversions from grasslands to cultivated agriculture, and vice versa. Recent research that utilizes agricultural practices to restore native perennial grasslands from annual grasslands is also included. The chapter concludes with some implications of future land use change on grassland soils and management.Less
This chapter describes soil conditions that support grasslands in California and discusses how land use history in California has influenced soil biology and soil organic C cycling. It begins by describing California soils that support grasslands and considers some of the soil factors that influence the potential vs. actual distribution of grasslands in the state. Then, some examples of relationships between soil organic C cycling and the composition of microbial and plant communities are described after conversions from grasslands to cultivated agriculture, and vice versa. Recent research that utilizes agricultural practices to restore native perennial grasslands from annual grasslands is also included. The chapter concludes with some implications of future land use change on grassland soils and management.
Karl Ritz and Wim H. van der Putten
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- December 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199575923
- eISBN:
- 9780191774843
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199575923.003.0002
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
This chapter provides an overview of the three chapters in Section 1. Chapter 1.1 considers the soil as a habitat. Chapter 1.2 reviews the levels of biodiversity that occur belowground. Chapter 1.3 ...
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This chapter provides an overview of the three chapters in Section 1. Chapter 1.1 considers the soil as a habitat. Chapter 1.2 reviews the levels of biodiversity that occur belowground. Chapter 1.3 considers how the soil biota actually delivers ecosystem services. It also explores the contrasting ‘soil biogeochemistry’ and ‘soil biology’ perspectives of how ecosystems function, and reviews the functional group concept.Less
This chapter provides an overview of the three chapters in Section 1. Chapter 1.1 considers the soil as a habitat. Chapter 1.2 reviews the levels of biodiversity that occur belowground. Chapter 1.3 considers how the soil biota actually delivers ecosystem services. It also explores the contrasting ‘soil biogeochemistry’ and ‘soil biology’ perspectives of how ecosystems function, and reviews the functional group concept.
Mark Stromberg (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780520252202
- eISBN:
- 9780520933972
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University of California Press
- DOI:
- 10.1525/california/9780520252202.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Plant Sciences and Forestry
Grasslands are one of California's most important ecosystems in terms of both biodiversity and economic value. Bringing together the large amount of research conducted in recent years on California's ...
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Grasslands are one of California's most important ecosystems in terms of both biodiversity and economic value. Bringing together the large amount of research conducted in recent years on California's grasslands, this comprehensive, state-of-the-art sourcebook addresses the pressing need to understand this unique habitat. Providing a summary of current grassland science and management, scholars examine the history of grasslands from the Pleistocene through European settlement; describe resources that influence grassland structure and productivity, focusing on water, nutrient dynamics, global environmental change, and soil biology; explore genetics, ecological interactions, grazing systems, and fire; and discuss grassland management, restoration, and public policy.Less
Grasslands are one of California's most important ecosystems in terms of both biodiversity and economic value. Bringing together the large amount of research conducted in recent years on California's grasslands, this comprehensive, state-of-the-art sourcebook addresses the pressing need to understand this unique habitat. Providing a summary of current grassland science and management, scholars examine the history of grasslands from the Pleistocene through European settlement; describe resources that influence grassland structure and productivity, focusing on water, nutrient dynamics, global environmental change, and soil biology; explore genetics, ecological interactions, grazing systems, and fire; and discuss grassland management, restoration, and public policy.
Eileen Crist
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- August 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780262194983
- eISBN:
- 9780262283182
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262194983.003.0016
- Subject:
- Environmental Science, Climate
This chapter discusses the last book that Charles Darwin wrote before his death that has been celebrated in the fields of soil biology and earthworm ecology as a landmark contribution. It is argued ...
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This chapter discusses the last book that Charles Darwin wrote before his death that has been celebrated in the fields of soil biology and earthworm ecology as a landmark contribution. It is argued here that the relative neglect of Darwin’s “worm book” stems from his investigating a previously considered unorthodox topic: the formative impact of organisms on their physical, chemical, and biotic surroundings. Darwin’s understanding of the global effects of earthworms is presented here, after which it is shown that his conceptual and empirical framework is consonant with geophysiology—the science of the Earth as a living system. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the implications of Darwin’s argument in the contemporary context of global environmental degradation.Less
This chapter discusses the last book that Charles Darwin wrote before his death that has been celebrated in the fields of soil biology and earthworm ecology as a landmark contribution. It is argued here that the relative neglect of Darwin’s “worm book” stems from his investigating a previously considered unorthodox topic: the formative impact of organisms on their physical, chemical, and biotic surroundings. Darwin’s understanding of the global effects of earthworms is presented here, after which it is shown that his conceptual and empirical framework is consonant with geophysiology—the science of the Earth as a living system. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the implications of Darwin’s argument in the contemporary context of global environmental degradation.
