Soil ecology

de Ken Killham

Soil Ecology is designed to meet the increasing challenge faced by today's environmental scientists, ecologists, agriculturalists, and biotechnologists for an integrated approach to soil ecology. It emphasizes the interrelations among plants, animals, and microbes, by first establishing the fundamental physical and chemical properties of the soil habitat and then functionally characterizing the major components of the soil biota and some of their most important interactions. The fundamental principles underpinning soil ecology are established and this then enables an integrated approach to explore and understand the processes of soil nutrient (carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus) cycling and the ecology of extreme soil conditions such as soil-water stress. Two of the most topical aspects of applied soil ecology are then selected. First, the ecology of soil pollution is examined, focusing on acid deposition and radionuclide pollution. Second, manipulation of soil ecology through biotechnology is discussed, illustrating the use of pesticides and microbial inocula in soils and pointing toward the future by considering the impact of genetically modified inocula on soil ecology. Published: December 2014. Soil scientists and professionals in related disciplines increasingly stress consideration of the soil as a community of living organisms to be treated no differently than an above-ground ecosystem. Killham approaches soil science in this vein and attempts to fill a gap created by books that are more discipline oriented. Like those others, Killham treats soil chemical and physical characteristics, but from the perspective of their effects on soil organisms. Fundamental aspects of the soil environment are discussed first to provide introductory material. The major groups of soil biota are then mentioned briefly before their ecological interactions are treated in greater detail. The major soil nutrient cycles are addressed, again from an ecological viewpoint. Chapters are devoted to the ecology of extreme soil environments as well as to polluted soils; a final chapter discusses one of the newest areas in soil science, the manipulation of soil ecology through biotechnology. Readers should have a foundation in basic soil science to fully appreciate this book. Reference to other books will provide greater detail on the major soil taxa . Advanced undergraduates, graduates, and faculty in soil science or any related discipline will value Killham's unique perspective. Choice Review. "...Highly readable and will likely serve to excite undergraduates, even those not previously exposed to soil science, with an appreciation for the diversity of conditions and organisms occurring in soils...will likely serve to interest undergraduates and beginning graduate students in basic and applied aspects of soil ecology." Knute Nadelhoffer, #65533;coscience Published: October 2016.