What Is Soil Ecology?

Soil ecology is a science that studies the interactions and processes between soil organisms and soil organisms, and between soil organisms and soil abiotic environments. One of the emerging branches of science. ^[1]

Soil ecology is a discipline that studies the relationship between soil environment and organisms, as well as the internal structure, function, balance, and evolution of ecosystems. The research focuses on the structure, function and evolution of soil ecosystems. The study of soil ecology is of great significance for the rational use of soil resources, the development of agriculture, forestry, and animal husbandry, the prevention and control of soil pollution, and the maintenance and establishment of a good regional ecological balance. ^[3]

Early studies of soil ecology date back to

Soil ecology mainly studies the relationship between soil and the environment and the structure, function, balance, and evolution of the soil ecosystem itself, the protection and utilization of soil resources, the comprehensive management of soil pollution, regional soil ecosystems and agricultural zoning, and farmland construction. And the balance and coordination of the entire soil ecosystem with the natural environment. ^[6]

Divided according to research purposes, soil ecology is divided into theoretical soil ecology and applied soil ecology. The former mainly studies the processes (such as energy flow, logistics, etc.) of various ecological phenomena in the soil ecosystem (such as the flora composition of soil organisms, interactions between soil organisms, and interactions between soil organisms and environmental factors). General rules to follow. The latter is mainly based on the principles and methods of soil ecology, researching and solving regional or global ecological and environmental problems, and providing feasible means and approaches for production practices. The two promote each other, enabling rapid development of soil ecology.

According to the organization level of the research object, soil ecology can be divided into three levels: soil biological individual ecology, biological community (body) ecology, and ecosystem ecology. Soil biological individual ecology mainly studies the relationship between soil biology and soil fertility and environmental factors. Soil biological community ecology mainly studies the flora composition, structure, and function of soil biological communities. The former two are the main research contents of soil ecology before the 1980s, and also the basis of the study of soil system ecology. Since the 1980s, the study of soil ecosystem has become the mainstream of soil ecology, and soil ecosystem ecology has almost become synonymous with soil ecology.

According to the nature of the research object, soil ecology can be divided into forest soil ecology, farmland soil ecology, grassland soil ecology, wetland soil ecology, dryland soil ecology, paddy soil ecology, and contaminated soil ecology. According to the classification of soil properties, soil ecology can be divided into red soil ecosystem ecology, yellow soil ecosystem ecology, and brown soil ecosystem ecology. According to the space-time scale of the research object, soil ecology of the reservoir area and soil ecology of the watershed can be further divided. It can be seen that the theoretical system and research fields of soil ecology are quite extensive. Although many studies have not yet been carried out, they are very meaningful. ^[7]