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Explore the fascinating world of soils and their impact on climate change. Learn about soil composition, its diverse ecosystem, and the importance of soil management in mitigating climate change. Discover practical solutions for soil conservation and CO2 sequestration.
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Soil particles Plant roots Water Soil is a Habitat
Soil is Alive • For example, in 1g of soil: >100,000,000 bacterial cells >11,000 species of bacteria Also fungi and larger animals
Plant material Bacteria Fungi Animals Air Minerals Water Soil Contains:
Earthworm Plant Root Bacteria Air, Minerals & Water Fungi
Soil Particles • Sand • Silt • Clay
Alfisols Andisols Aridisols Entisols Gelisols Histosols Inceptisols Mollisols Oxisols Spodosols Ultisols Vertisols Soil Orders
A healthy soil has a diverse foodweb Fungi for nutrient uptake and residue decomposition
A healthy soil has a diverse foodweb Bacteria for decomposition, N mineralization, and competition with pathogens
A healthy soil has a diverse foodweb And lots of predators and mesofauna to drive the cycle!
Management has a strong influence on the soil foodweb X Disturbance affects fungal biomass, which affects decomposition, which affects N supply…
X Management has a strong influence on the soil foodweb Disturbance also affects soil structure, reducing pore space and thus predators…
Management has a strong influence on the soil foodweb And leaves bacteria dominant, with no competitors…
Increased decomposition and release of CO2 into the atmosphere!
What can be done? • CO2 sequestration - planting trees and prairie plants • Reduced tillage in place of intensive plowing • Conservation of wetlands, prairies, forests, and bogs