Summary
This paper by Doran and Zeiss, published in Applied Soil Ecology in 2000, provides a conceptual review of soil health and sustainability, likely synthesising existing understanding of how soil condition underpins productive and environmentally resilient agricultural systems. The authors, both prominent in soil science, are associated with developing frameworks linking soil biological activity to ecosystem function and long-term land management outcomes. The paper is widely cited as a foundational reference in soil health discourse, contributing to the framing of soil quality as a measurable, manageable resource.
UK applicability
Although not UK-specific, the conceptual frameworks and soil quality indicators discussed are broadly applicable to UK agricultural contexts, and the paper's influence on soil health policy and practice extends to UK agri-environment schemes and Countryside Stewardship measures that incorporate soil health assessment.
Key measures
Soil quality indicators; biological, chemical and physical soil properties; sustainability metrics
Outcomes reported
The paper likely examines conceptual frameworks for defining and measuring soil health, exploring the relationship between soil biological, chemical, and physical properties and long-term agricultural sustainability. It probably proposes or reviews indicators and approaches for assessing soil quality in managed systems.
Topic tags
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