Plenary and Invited Papers Section 3: Delivering the Benefits from Grassland
Description
The last few years have seen an explosion of information on the responses and feedbacks of soil biota to species and environmental changes. Soil biologists, plant ecologists, and biogeochemists have been searching for patterns, generality and predictability in these relationships. A few brave souls have had the courage to assemble comprehensive assessments of soil biology in our rapidly changing world. Several years ago, I reviewed Wardle’s (2002) book emphasising the links between above- and belowground components of ecosystems. That activity – as well as the present one – provided me with the opportunity to survey recent findings in soil biology. I have attempted to synthesise that information with respect to conservation and management issues. This analysis suggests that our scientific endeavours continue to advance the goal of providing sustainable, productive grasslands. At the same time, nevertheless, I sense growing urgency to identify the consequences of inevitable abiotic and biotic change on the structure and function of grassland soil ecosystems.
Included in
Soil Biology and the Emergence of Adventive Grassland Ecosystems
The last few years have seen an explosion of information on the responses and feedbacks of soil biota to species and environmental changes. Soil biologists, plant ecologists, and biogeochemists have been searching for patterns, generality and predictability in these relationships. A few brave souls have had the courage to assemble comprehensive assessments of soil biology in our rapidly changing world. Several years ago, I reviewed Wardle’s (2002) book emphasising the links between above- and belowground components of ecosystems. That activity – as well as the present one – provided me with the opportunity to survey recent findings in soil biology. I have attempted to synthesise that information with respect to conservation and management issues. This analysis suggests that our scientific endeavours continue to advance the goal of providing sustainable, productive grasslands. At the same time, nevertheless, I sense growing urgency to identify the consequences of inevitable abiotic and biotic change on the structure and function of grassland soil ecosystems.
