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Soil quality indicator

A chemical, physical or biological property of soil that is sensitive to disturbance and represents performance of ecosystem function in that soil of interest. These are dynamic soil properties.

Soil resilience

The capacity of a soil to recover its functional capacity after a disturbance.

Soil resistance

The capacity of the soil to maintain its functional capacity through a disturbance.

Soil respiration

The amount of carbon dioxide given off by living organisms and roots in the soil.

Soil respiration, basal

The level of carbon dioxide given off by a soil sample. Basal respiration is a measure of the total biological activity of microorganisms, macroorganisms, and roots.

Soil respiration, substrate-induced

A measure of the carbon dioxide given off by a soil sample after adding sugar or other food. It is used to estimate microbial biomass in the sample.

Soil sealing

The process of covering of a soil by buildings, or types of artificial material which may be very slowly permeable to water (e.g. asphalt or concrete). Soil sealing can cause rapid overland flow after precipitation where water cannot soak away leading to potential flooding. A soil is unable to function effectively when sealed.

Soil structure

The arrangement of soil particles into aggregates which form structural units. Size, shape, and distinctness are used to describe soil structure. Farmers often describe soil structure with words such as crumbly or cloddy.

Soil threat

Soils may loose their productive function due to soil degradation. Examples of soil threats are: acidification, compaction, contamination (pollution), decline in soil organic matter, decline in soil biodiversity, desertification, erosion, flooding and water logging, landslides, salinization.

Solum

Topsoil and subsoil layers that have undergone the same soil forming conditions. The base of the solum (plural, sola) is the relatively unweathered parent material. Solum and soils are not synonymous. Some soils include layers that are not affected by soil formation.

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