this book provides a comprehensive guide to methods for long-term ecological research in soil science. it is edited by g. philip robertson, david c. coleman, caroline s. bledsoe, and phillip solins. the book is divided into several sections, including soil sampling and preparation, soil physical properties, soil chemical properties, soil biological processes, and soil organisms. each section contains detailed methods for various soil-related studies. the first chapter discusses soil sampling, preparation, archiving, and quality control. the second chapter covers site and landscape characterization for ecological studies. the third section focuses on soil physical properties, including soil water and temperature status, soil structural and other physical properties. the fourth section deals with soil chemical properties, such as soil carbon and nitrogen, exchangeable ions, pH, and cation exchange capacity, soil phosphorus, and analysis of detritus and organic horizons. the fifth section covers soil biological processes, including soil co₂, n₂o, and ch₄ exchange, decomposition, nutrient turnover, dinitrogen fixation, soil carbon and nitrogen availability, and denitrification. the sixth section discusses soil organisms, including microbial biomass determination, characterization of soil microbial communities, soil invertebrates, methods for ecological studies of mycorrhizae, measurement of static root parameters, and fine root production and demography. the book is a valuable resource for researchers and students in soil science and ecological research. it provides detailed methods for various soil-related studies, making it an essential reference for long-term ecological research.this book provides a comprehensive guide to methods for long-term ecological research in soil science. it is edited by g. philip robertson, david c. coleman, caroline s. bledsoe, and phillip solins. the book is divided into several sections, including soil sampling and preparation, soil physical properties, soil chemical properties, soil biological processes, and soil organisms. each section contains detailed methods for various soil-related studies. the first chapter discusses soil sampling, preparation, archiving, and quality control. the second chapter covers site and landscape characterization for ecological studies. the third section focuses on soil physical properties, including soil water and temperature status, soil structural and other physical properties. the fourth section deals with soil chemical properties, such as soil carbon and nitrogen, exchangeable ions, pH, and cation exchange capacity, soil phosphorus, and analysis of detritus and organic horizons. the fifth section covers soil biological processes, including soil co₂, n₂o, and ch₄ exchange, decomposition, nutrient turnover, dinitrogen fixation, soil carbon and nitrogen availability, and denitrification. the sixth section discusses soil organisms, including microbial biomass determination, characterization of soil microbial communities, soil invertebrates, methods for ecological studies of mycorrhizae, measurement of static root parameters, and fine root production and demography. the book is a valuable resource for researchers and students in soil science and ecological research. it provides detailed methods for various soil-related studies, making it an essential reference for long-term ecological research.