Figure 9: Examples of Mollisols (grassland soils) formed from loess. Both soils have mean annual precipitation of 450 mm. The Ustoll (a) has an ustic soil moisture regime and the Xeroll (b) has a ...

In certain trees, soils can form along branches and can support varied plant and animal life. However, what conditions these ‘canopy soils’ form in, and what kind of biodiversity they support, has ...

From the lava plains of the Alvord Desert to the fertile alluvium of the Willamette Valley, Oregon’s secret wealth is lying all around us. It’s an ingredient forged from stars, fire and ice and, ...

Lynette Abbott examines how the rhizosphere, a narrow collar of soil clinging to plant roots, is emerging as a key player in ...

Canopy soils that form on tree branches contain three times more carbon than soils on the ground in Costa Rica, potentially serving as an important carbon sink around the world. New research reveals a ...

Shrinking glaciers expose new land in the Arctic, creating unique ecosystems. Researchers studied how microbes colonize these barren landscapes. The study reveals a crucial role for specific fungal ...

You can learn a lot about your soil by simply running it through your fingers. Healthy soil is the key to growing a beautiful and thriving garden. Building and nourishing the soil begins with getting ...

When we are having problems with our lawns or plants, the first thing that comes to mind is often that they are caused by a pest or disease. We often overlook that it could be a problem with the soil.

Soil pH is a measure of soil acidity or alkalinity. On the pH scale, a value of 7.0 is neutral, pH values less than 7.0 are acidic, and pH values greater than 7.0 are alkaline. Homeowners and ...