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Symposium--Relating Soil Structure and Biophysicochemical Functions At Different Scales: I

Oral Session

SSSA Division: Soil Physics

Effects of soil structure on biophysicochemical processes and functions are present at various natural scales, ranging from single pores and aggregates to soil pedons, fields, hillslopes, and watersheds. As outlined in the SSSA 75th Anniversary Paper “Kirkham’s Legacy and Contemporary Challenges in Soil Physics Research” there is a big knowledge gap regarding selection and measurement of relevant physical, chemical, and microbiological soil properties to characterize soil structure and to parameterize models relating structure to biophysicochemical soil functions. The broader vision of the proposed session is to stimulate cross-disciplinary research to advance understanding of factors contributing to soil quality and the ability to sustain vital soil functions across scales. We invite contributions that include but are not limited to the following topics: (1) novel methods to characterize soil structure and soil void space; (2) biophysicochemical aspects of soil structure formation and self-organization in soils; (3) resistance and resilience of soil structure to mechanical stresses; (4) spatial variation of soil structure and functions at the field scale; and (5) ecosystem services and natural capital of soils.

Cosponsor(s):

Soil Chemistry, Soil Biology & Biochemistry, Pedology