Soil Science

  1. Soil Biology and Ecology
    1. The Soil Food Web
      1. Trophic Levels in Soil
        1. Energy Flow in Soil Ecosystems
        2. Soil Organisms
          1. Microflora
            1. Bacteria
              1. Roles in Nutrient Cycling
                1. Nitrogen Fixation
                2. Fungi
                  1. Decomposition
                    1. Mycorrhizal Associations
                    2. Actinomycetes
                      1. Organic Matter Breakdown
                      2. Algae
                        1. Photosynthesis in Soil
                      3. Microfauna
                        1. Protozoa
                          1. Predation on Bacteria
                          2. Nematodes
                            1. Plant Parasitic
                              1. Free-Living
                            2. Mesofauna
                              1. Mites
                                1. Decomposition
                                2. Collembola
                                  1. Litter Fragmentation
                                3. Macrofauna
                                  1. Earthworms
                                    1. Soil Mixing
                                      1. Cast Formation
                                      2. Termites
                                        1. Decomposition of Woody Material
                                        2. Ants
                                          1. Soil Aeration
                                          2. Beetles
                                            1. Organic Matter Breakdown
                                        3. Soil Organic Matter (SOM)
                                          1. Composition of SOM
                                            1. Fresh Residues
                                              1. Active Fraction
                                                1. Stable Humus
                                                2. Decomposition Process
                                                  1. Stages of Decomposition
                                                    1. Factors Affecting Decomposition
                                                    2. Humus
                                                      1. Chemical Nature
                                                        1. Role in Soil Fertility
                                                        2. Carbon-to-Nitrogen (C/N) Ratio
                                                          1. Importance for Decomposition
                                                            1. Effects on Nutrient Cycling
                                                            2. Role of SOM in Soil Health
                                                              1. Soil Structure Improvement
                                                                1. Water Holding Capacity
                                                                  1. Nutrient Retention
                                                                2. Biogeochemical Cycling
                                                                  1. The Carbon Cycle
                                                                    1. Carbon Inputs
                                                                      1. Carbon Losses
                                                                        1. Soil Carbon Sequestration
                                                                        2. The Nitrogen Cycle
                                                                          1. Mineralization
                                                                            1. Nitrification
                                                                              1. Denitrification
                                                                                1. Nitrogen Fixation
                                                                                2. The Phosphorus Cycle
                                                                                  1. Forms of Phosphorus in Soil
                                                                                    1. Phosphorus Availability
                                                                                    2. The Sulfur Cycle
                                                                                      1. Sulfur Transformations
                                                                                        1. Sulfur Availability

                                                                                    Previous

                                                                                    5. Soil Chemical Properties

                                                                                    Go to top

                                                                                    Next

                                                                                    7. Soil Classification and Mapping