Publication Date
1993
Description
Temperate grasslands are treated as dynamic systems, and are examined here with regard to processes and mechanisms controlling their dynamics. Recent literature dealing with grassland nutrient cycling as driven by interactions among soil organisms, regulated by soil architecture, and augmented by management is examined and evaluated. Emphasis is given to root-soil interactions, including those involving mycorrhizal associations. The challenge is also presented to move beyond the biomass, to discern activities and dynamics of individual soil microbial populations and changes in soil communities as indicators of soil quality and stress on grassland soil-plant systems. Decomposition is fundamental lo nutrient dynamics. From reviewing the decomposition literature, it is concluded that a major challenge remains in the area of synthesis, to complement the earlier emphasis on analysis. Simulation modeling includes synthesis as one of its aims. Efforts to describe and test ideas about regulation of processes, and links between processes and soil organisms, using simulation modeling are assessed, This raises issues of spatial heterogeneity and problems of temporal and spatial scale, which are dealt with from the perspective of sustainable grassland management, and the role of grasslands in global environmental quality.
Citation
McGill, W B.; Brijber, R A.; Janzen, R A.; Dormaar, J F.; and Myers, R.J K., "Soil Characteristics and Elemental Cycling in Temperature Grasslands: Are Landscape Dynamics Controlled by Microsite Conditions?" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 1.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session40/1
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Soil Characteristics and Elemental Cycling in Temperature Grasslands: Are Landscape Dynamics Controlled by Microsite Conditions?
Temperate grasslands are treated as dynamic systems, and are examined here with regard to processes and mechanisms controlling their dynamics. Recent literature dealing with grassland nutrient cycling as driven by interactions among soil organisms, regulated by soil architecture, and augmented by management is examined and evaluated. Emphasis is given to root-soil interactions, including those involving mycorrhizal associations. The challenge is also presented to move beyond the biomass, to discern activities and dynamics of individual soil microbial populations and changes in soil communities as indicators of soil quality and stress on grassland soil-plant systems. Decomposition is fundamental lo nutrient dynamics. From reviewing the decomposition literature, it is concluded that a major challenge remains in the area of synthesis, to complement the earlier emphasis on analysis. Simulation modeling includes synthesis as one of its aims. Efforts to describe and test ideas about regulation of processes, and links between processes and soil organisms, using simulation modeling are assessed, This raises issues of spatial heterogeneity and problems of temporal and spatial scale, which are dealt with from the perspective of sustainable grassland management, and the role of grasslands in global environmental quality.
