Details zur Publikation

Kategorie Textpublikation
Referenztyp Zeitschriften
DOI 10.1016/j.geoderma.2017.11.009
Volltext Autorenversion
Titel (primär) Soil structure as an indicator of soil functions: A review
Autor Rabot, E.; Wiesmeier, M.; Schlüter, S.; Vogel, H.-J.
Quelle Geoderma
Erscheinungsjahr 2018
Department BOSYS
Band/Volume 314
Seite von 122
Seite bis 137
Sprache englisch
Keywords Visual soil assessment; Aggregate size distribution and stability; Bulk density; Mercury porosimetry; Water retention curve; Imaging techniques
UFZ Querschnittsthemen RU1;
Abstract Since many processes in soil are highly sensitive to soil structure, this review intends to evaluate the potential of observable soil structural attributes to be used in the assessment of soil functions. We focus on the biomass production, storage and filtering of water, storage and recycling of nutrients, carbon storage, habitat for biological activity, and physical stability and support. A selection of frequently used soil structural properties are analyzed and discussed from a methodological point of view and with respect to their relevance to soil functions. These are properties extracted from soil profile description, visual soil assessment, aggregate size and stability analysis, bulk density, mercury porosimetry, water retention curve, gas adsorption, and imaging techniques. We highlight the greater relevance of the pore network characterization as compared to the aggregate perspective. We identify porosity, macroporosity, pore distances, and pore connectivity derived from imaging techniques as being the most relevant indicators for several soil functions. Since imaging techniques are not widely accessible, we suggest using this technique to build up an open access “soil structure library” for a large range of soil types, which could form the basis to relate more easily available measures to pore structural attributes in a site-specific way (i.e., taking into account texture, soil organic matter content, etc.).
dauerhafte UFZ-Verlinkung https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=19950
Rabot, E., Wiesmeier, M., Schlüter, S., Vogel, H.-J. (2018):
Soil structure as an indicator of soil functions: A review
Geoderma 314 , 122 - 137 10.1016/j.geoderma.2017.11.009