Biological Interactions in Soil: Workshop Proceedings

Soil ecology is still poorly understood, and our knowledge of the biology of the myriad soil-inhabiting organisms is sparse. This book reviews current knowledge on the complex interactions between these organisms, many of which are extremely important in the maintenance of soil fertility. It is comprehensive, addressing both basic and applied approaches. Although intended for a broad audience, the book will prove invaluable to soil scientists, ecologists, agriculturists and students.

Table of Contents:
Introduction. Interaction between soil-inhabiting invertebrates and microorganisms in relation to plant growth and ecosystem processes: an introduction. Section 1. Invertebrate-mediated transport processes in soils (J.M. Anderson). Linkages between resource availability microorganisms and soil invertebrates (D. Parkinson). Metabolic and faunal activity in litters of tree mixtures compared with pure stands (K. Chapman et al.). Detrital foodweb interactions in North American grassland ecosystems (E.T. Elliott et al.). Soil biotic interactions in the functioning of agroecosystems (O. Andren et al.). Interactions among soil biota in coniferous ecosystems (R. Fogel). Interactions among soil biota in desert ecosystems (J. Zak, W. Whitford). Effects of macrofauna on soil properties in tropical ecosystems (R. Lal). Section 2. Interactions of organisms at root/soil and litter/soil interfaces in terrestrial ecosystems (D.C. Coleman et al.). Indirect effects of interactions between VAM fungi and soil-inhabiting invertebrates on plant processes (S.C. Rabatin, B.R. Stinner). The influence of microarthropods on symbiotic and non-symbiotic mutualism in detrital-based below-ground food webs (J.C. Moore). Interactions between soil-animals and ectomycorrhizal fungal mats (K. Cromack, Jr. et al.). Interactions between nematodes and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (R.E. Ingham). Interactions between organic-matter decomposition level and soilborne disease severity (Y.R. Chung et al.). Bacterivorous nematodes and organic-matter decomposition (D.W. Freckman). Interactions among soil invertebrates, microbes and plant growth in the tallgrass prairie (T.R. Seastedt et al.). Interactions between protozoa and other organisms (S.S. Bamforth). Interactions between earthworms and microorganisms in organic-matter breakdown (C.A. Edwards, K.E. Fletcher). Section 3. Interactions between root pathogens and soil microarthropods (E.A. Curl et al.). Bacterial diseases of nematodes and their role in controlling nematode populations (R.M. Sayre). Interaction of plant-parasitic nematodes with soil-borne plant pathogens (R.M. Riedel). Fungal parasites of cyst nematodes (B. Kerry). Nematophagy by soil arthropods from the shortgrass steppe, Chihuahuan Desert and Rocky Mountains of the central United States (D.E. Walter). Genetic engineering of soil microorganisms for pest control (T.L. Graham). Environmental and ecological problems in the introduction of alien microorganisms in the soil (S.W. Fisher, J.D. Briggs). Pest management of soil-inhabiting insects with microorganisms (M.G. Klein). Ecological considerations in the biological control of soil-inhabiting insects with entomopathogenic nematodes (R. Gaugler). Section 4. Relating nutrient and water uptake models to biotic interactions, nutrient cycling and plant growth (T.L. Grove et al.). An overview of organismal interaction in ecosystems in evolutionary and ecological time (P.W. Price).