NCERA_OLD059: Soil Organic Matter: Formation, Function and Management
Statement of Issues and Justification
The NCR-59 committee is currently the only organization in the U.S. devoted to discussion of soil organic matter and its role in affecting biological and physical soil properties and nutrient cycling. In addition, the new mission of the committee includes developing an understanding of soil management to enhance soil C sequestration and other soil quality and productivity related issues. To accomplish these tasks the committee will continue to research the critical areas concerning the genesis, composition and reactivity of particulate and humic substances. Accordingly, many scientists outside the North Central Region participate regularly in the committees annual meeting. One of the most important functions of NCR-59 is to provide an informal setting for exchanging ideas among scientists interested in the various roles of soil organic matter in the functioning of ecosystems. It is especially valuable for younger scientists, since this committee is an excellent opportunity for them to interact with experienced soil organic matter researchers from different areas of the country. A major strength of the NCR-59 group is the diversity of its members research interests in microbial, biochemical, chemical and physical aspects of soil organic matter dynamics.
The NCR-59 committee proposes to continue its historical mission of promoting research cooperation amongst its members, fostering interest in understanding the basic principles of organic matter and humus chemistry, soil organic matter dynamics, and applying such knowledge to problems of regional and national scope. The committee also proposes to continue providing leadership in initiating, planning and implementing timely symposia on the role of soil organic matter in issues of public concern such as C sequestration, biodiversity, soil and water quality, and sustainability of the soil resource.
Highlights of Committee Activities and Accomplishments (10-1-96 to 11-30-2000):
Four objectives covered the activities of NCR-59 during the last four years.
Objective 1: Promote research cooperation among its members and NC-174 members.
We met jointly with NC-174 (Technical Committee on Impact of Accelerated Erosion on Soil Properties and Productivity) in July 1998 for a critical discussion on physical measures used in soil quality assessments. We also worked jointly with members of this committee in developing, writing, and editing "Methods for Assessing Soil Quality". Additional collaborative and participating research and committee projects this group has been engaged in are summarized below:
- M. Wander, R. Dick, A. Kennedy and C. Rice. 1996. Soil Quality-Interdisciplinary Perspectives Symposia. Agronomy Society of America, Indianapolis, IN.
- Stott, D., M.M. Wander and others 1999. "Soil Quality" SSSA Annual Meetings Nov. 3, 1999, Salt Lake City, Utah.
- Wander, M.M., Aref, S. and Drijber, R.A. 1999. Microbial and carbon dynamics in the Morrow Plots. SSSA Annual Meetings, October 31-November 4, Salt Lake City, Utah.
- Aref, S., M.M. Wander, and R.A. Drijber. 1999. Analyzing seasonal changes in substrate utilization patterns in the Morrow Plots. Soil Ecological Society International Conference, Chicago Ill. May 23-26.
- Reicosky, D.C., W.R. Horwath, M.M. Wander, P. Hill, and D. Leikam. 2000. Feasibility committee for "Management Guide for Soil Carbon Sequestration" Agronomy Society of America. Madison, WI.
- Doran, J.W. and Gregorich, E.G. 2001. Soil health and sustainable land management. In Encyclopedia of Soil Science. R. Lal. (editor). Marcel Dekker, Inc. NY
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Objective 2: Promote the use of standard techniques of characterizing soil organic matter and assessing soil quality.
Members of NCR-59 and NC-174 edited and authored the book "Methods for Assessing Soil Quality" which was published as SSSA Special Publication Number 49. We continue to interact with other groups interested in this topic to promote the use of a standard set of measurements as a baseline for soil quality assessment. Groups include: Soil Science Society of America, Div. S3 Soil Quality Working Group (Cynthia Cambardella, Chair, 1997-98); Soil Quality Network (Jeff Smith, Chair); Soil Ecological Society, and the USDA-NRCS Soil Quality Institute, Craig Ditzler, head). In 2000, NCR-59 sponsored a workshop attended by over 35 people at the SSSA-ASA-CSA meeting in Minneapolis on techniques and interpretation of macroorganic matter measures. These representatives of NCR-59 plan to meet again next year and develop a summary of methodology that will be published.
Objective 3: Foster interest in understanding the basic principles of soil organic matter dynamics and in the application of those principles to soil quality problems of regional and national scope.
In 1997, NCR-59 met in conjunction with the Soil Ecological Society. At that meeting, our committee organized a facilitated discussion on "Measures of Soil Quality" that was attended by about 30 people.
In addition, there are several items the committee is currently working on: 1) Development of an in-depth literature review of soil indicators that serve as an early warning for soil degradation; 2) Development of a multi-site data set for use in determining critical factors for assessing soil quality; and 3) Development of a soil organic matter management publication.
Objective 4: Work with national and international societies to co-sponsor soil organic matter / soil quality oriented symposia.
At the 1996 National Meeting of the Soil Science Society of America, NCR-59 and Division S-3 developed a moderated poster symposium titled "Soil Quality: Interdisciplinary Perspectives", Ann Kennedy and Laurie Drinkwater, moderators. We also organized a soil quality poster session for the 1997 Soil Ecological Society meeting. For the 1999 National Meeting of the SSSA, NCR-59 and the Division S-3 Working Group on Soil Quality developed a symposium titled "Soil Quality as an Indicator of Sustainable Land Management", Diane Stott, Tom Moorman, and Mark Liebig, organizers.
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