Summary
This paper by Doran and Zeiss, prominent researchers in soil quality science, reviews the role of biotic components — including microorganisms, soil fauna, and biological processes — in defining and managing soil health. It situates soil health within a sustainability framework, arguing that biological indicators are essential complements to chemical and physical measures of soil quality. The paper is likely a foundational contribution to the conceptual basis for using living soil components as diagnostics of ecosystem function and agricultural sustainability.
UK applicability
Although not UK-specific, the conceptual framework and biological indicators discussed are broadly applicable to UK soil management policy and practice, including relevance to England's Sustainable Farming Incentive and soil health monitoring under post-Brexit agricultural support schemes.
Key measures
Microbial biomass; soil enzyme activity; biological indicators of soil quality; organic matter cycling; soil fauna diversity
Outcomes reported
The paper examines how biological properties of soil — including microbial biomass, enzyme activity, and faunal diversity — function as indicators of soil health and quality. It likely proposes or reviews frameworks for integrating biotic measures into sustainable soil management strategies.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.