Document Type

Article

Publication Version

Version of Record

Publication Date

8-2013

Departmental Paper Identifier

NRM-176

Keywords

soil sampling, texture, sterilization, greenhouse, nitrogen, soil core

Abstract

Increasingly biologists and ecologists are becoming aware of the vital importance of soil to processes observed above ground 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 >60 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 soil sterilization, choosing a soil for a greenhouse project, sampling soils, and soil analyses.

Publication Title

Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics

Volume

15

Issue

4

First Page

237

Last Page

244

Pages

8

Format

application/pdf

Language

en

DOI of Published Version

10.1016/j.ppees.2013.05.004

Publisher

Elsevier

Rights

A work produced within the official duties of an employee of the United States Government are not subject to copyright within the U.S.

Comments

This work was published in Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics 15:237-244

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