Soil ecology
Soil ecology is on the one hand a sub-area of soil science , on the other hand a sub-area of ecology . She investigates the mutual relationships within the organisms in the soil as well as to the abiotic parts of the soil.
Content
In contrast to other sub-areas of soil science, the focus is on organisms, the so-called Edaphon . Soil ecology is an interdisciplinary, interdisciplinary research area.
In addition to basic research on modeling, application-oriented issues are dealt with that result from changed environmental conditions for the soil ecosystem and have indirect consequences for the sustainable management of soils and environmental protection.
Examples are the subjects of soil acidification ( acid rain ) and nutrient leaching; the research of material cycles - the entry of toxins or copper through sprays heavy metals , sulfur, nitrogen into the soil through air pollution , as well as the consequences for the soil organisms ; Effects of these substance inputs on root penetration and nutrient availability in the rhizosphere and changes in the soil itself.
The development of parameters and indicator organisms for the monitoring and control of biochemical processes, for example in humus formation and in the metabolism of atmosphere - plant - soil, is interesting for the application of the research results .
Examples of current issues
- Soil acidification and consequences for nutrient leaching, root penetration and nutrient uptake;
- Effects of heavy metals and organic pollutants on soil organisms; see under soil contamination ;
- Effects of higher atmospheric CO 2 concentrations on the nutrient cycle;
- Mineralization of sulfur compounds in forest soils ;
- microbial stability of dissolved organic nitrogen compounds.
- Effect of thermal processes for soil sterilization (e.g. steaming (soil disinfection) ) on the Edaphon
literature
- Ulrich Gisi: Soil Ecology. Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart 1997. ISBN 3-13-747202-4
- Hartmut Koehler, Karin Mathes, Broder Breckling: Soil ecology interdisciplinary . Springer, Berlin 1999. ISBN 3-54-0661727
