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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Reno, Nevada » Great Basin Rangelands Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #289372
Title: Quick start guide to soil methods for ecologists

Author
item PERKINS, LORA - South Dakota State University
item Blank, Robert - Bob
item FERGUSON, SCOT - University Of Nevada
item JOHNSON, DALE - University Of Nevada
item LINDEMANN, WILLIAM - New Mexico State University
item Rau, Benjamin

Submitted to: Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/17/2013
Publication Date: 6/16/2013
Citation: Perkins, L.B., Blank, R.R., Ferguson, S.D., Johnson, D.W, Lindemann, W.C, Rau, B.M. 2013. Quick start guide to soil methods for ecologists. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics. 15:237-244.

Interpretive Summary: Increasingly biologists and ecologists are becoming aware of the vital importance of soil to processes observed aboveground and are incorporating soil analyses into their research. Because of the dynamic and heterogeneous nature of soil, proper incorporation of soil analysis into ecological studies requires knowledge and planning. Unfortunately, many ecologists may not be current (or trained at all) in soil science. We provide this review, based on our cumulative > 50 years of work in soil science, to help familiarize researchers with essential information to appropriately incorporate soil analyses into ecological studies. Specifically, we provide a brief introduction into soils and then discuss issues related to sampling soils, soil sterilization, choosing a soil for a greenhouse project, and choosing and interpreting soil analyses.

Technical Abstract: Increasingly biologists and ecologists are becoming aware of the vital importance of soil to processes observed aboveground and are incorporating soil analyses into their research. Because of the dynamic and heterogeneous nature of soil, proper incorporation of soil analysis into ecological studies requires knowledge and planning. Unfortunately, many ecologists may not be current (or trained at all) in soil science. We provide this review, based on our cumulative > 50 years of work in soil science, to help familiarize researchers with essential information to appropriately incorporate soil analyses into ecological studies. Specifically, we provide a brief introduction into soils and then discuss issues related to sampling soils, soil sterilization, choosing a soil for a greenhouse project, and choosing and interpreting soil analyses.