Author
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Sojka, Robert |
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Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 5/4/1997 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: The ecosystems of the world undergo disruption from numerous causes on an almost continual basis. The soils supporting plant life, and hence all life within an ecosystem, are a vital ecosystem component. The activity of Humankind increasing causes disruption of ecosystems. Human development and exploitation of ecosystem resources almost always involves landscape processes that disturb the soil profile. In the case of farming, soil is disturbed on 1.4 billion hectares on an annual basis, and for much of that area more than once per year. Much of the community of ecological scholars has only limited training in the field of soil science. This chapter seeks to present fundamental basic knowledge of the soil physical system that can be applied by ecologists to better understand how soil processes are affected by various kinds of disturbance. Attention is paid to explaining soil processes vis a vis the three phase soil model, followed up with specific analysis of several important disruption categories; Loosening and Compaction, Flooding, and Erosion. The take home message is that ultimately disruption effects depend on intelligent ecosystem management, before disruption where possible, and after disruption. For intelligent management, an appreciation of fundamental soil processes is essential. Technical Abstract: The physical aspects of soils of disturbed ground are best examined from the effect of the disturbance on the gas, liquid or solid phases of soils. Soil properties can greatly influence the extent to which a given disturbance force affects the soil. Some of the effects of soil disturbance can be managed utilizing our understanding of physical and chemical principals. Agriculture is probably the largest single activity on the planet that causes ecological disturbance of soils. Yet, agricultural disturbance is a managed factor, whereas many other disturbance sources are not. The intensity of environmental impact depends on the skill of management and/or the intensity of environmental or anthropogenic disturbance. It is the manager's role to utilize understanding of the soil system to mitigate negative environmental effects of management, regardless of the outcome being sought. |
