User:Weepingbeech/Soil quality
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[edit]Soil quality refers to the condition of soil based on the needs of human and non-human life.[1]
According to the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, "Soil quality is the capacity of a specific kind of soil to function, within natural or managed ecosystem boundaries, to sustain plant and animal productivity, maintain or enhance water and air quality, and support human health and habitation.[2][3]
The European Commission's Joint Research Centre proposed a definition, stating that "Soil quality is an account of the soil's ability to provide ecosystem and social services through its capacities to perform its functions under changing conditions."[4]
Indicators of soil quality
[edit]Physical indicators
[edit]The physical category of soil quality indicators consists of tests that measure soil texture, bulk density, porosity, water content at saturation, aggregate stability, penetration resistance, and more.
Chemical indicators
[edit]Chemical indicators include but are not limited to pH, organic carbon, and nutrient levels. [5]
Biological indicators
[edit]Biological measures include the amount and diversity of soil organisms and fungi.
The movement and biological functions of soil organisms (including earthworms, millipedes, centipedes, ants, and spiders) impact soil processes such as the regulation of soil structure, degradation of contaminants, and nutrient cycling. [6]
Sampling and measurement
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Johnson, D. L.; Ambrose, S. H.; Bassett, T. J.; Bowen, M. L.; Crummey, D. E.; Isaacson, J. S.; Johnson, D. N.; Lamb, P.; Saul, M.; Winter-Nelson, A. E. (1997). "Meanings of Environmental Terms". Journal of Environmental Quality. 26 (3): 581. doi:10.2134/jeq1997.00472425002600030002x.
- ^ USDA NRCS. "Soil Quality: Basics: Definitions". soilquality.org. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- ^ Karlen, D. L.; Mausbach, M. J.; Doran, J. W.; Cline, R. G.; Harris, R. F.; Schuman, G. E. (1997). "Soil Quality: A Concept, Definition, and Framework for Evaluation (A Guest Editorial)". Soil Science Society of America Journal. 61 (1): 4–10. Bibcode:1997SSASJ..61....4K. doi:10.2136/sssaj1997.03615995006100010001x. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- ^ Tóth, G., Stolbovoy, V. and Montanarella, 2007. "Soil Quality and Sustainability Evaluation - An integrated approach to support soil-related policies of the European Union Archived 2013-10-29 at the Wayback Machine", EUR 22721 EN. 40 pp. Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg. ISBN 978-92-79-05250-7.
- ^ Bravo‐Medina, C.; Goyes‐Vera, F.; Arteaga‐Crespo, Y.; García‐Quintana, Y.; Changoluisa, D. (2021-04-15). "A soil quality index for seven productive landscapes in the Andean‐Amazonian foothills of Ecuador". Land Degradation & Development. 32 (6): 2226–2241. doi:10.1002/ldr.3897. ISSN 1085-3278.
- ^ Ruiz N, Lavelle P, Jiménez J. 2008. Soil macrofauna field manual. Food and Agriculture Organization. https://www.fao.org/3/i0211e/i0211e00.htm