This chapter provides an overview of standard soil methods for long-term ecological research, edited by G. Philip Robertson, David C. Coleman, Caroline S. Bledsoe, and Phillip Sollins. The contributors cover a wide range of topics essential for soil sampling, preparation, archiving, and quality control, as well as site and landscape characterization. The book is divided into four main sections: Soil Physical Properties, Soil Chemical Properties, Soil Biological Processes, and Soil Organisms. Each section includes detailed methods for measuring various soil characteristics, such as water and temperature status, soil structure, carbon and nitrogen pools, exchangeable ions, pH, cation exchange capacity, phosphorus, and the analysis of detritus and organic horizons. Additionally, it covers methods for studying soil biological processes like CO₂, N₂O, and CH₄ exchange, decomposition, nutrient turnover, dinitrogen fixation, and denitrification. The book also addresses the determination of microbial biomass, characterization of soil microbial communities, and methods for studying soil invertebrates and mycorrhizae. Finally, it includes methods for measuring static root parameters and fine root production and demography.This chapter provides an overview of standard soil methods for long-term ecological research, edited by G. Philip Robertson, David C. Coleman, Caroline S. Bledsoe, and Phillip Sollins. The contributors cover a wide range of topics essential for soil sampling, preparation, archiving, and quality control, as well as site and landscape characterization. The book is divided into four main sections: Soil Physical Properties, Soil Chemical Properties, Soil Biological Processes, and Soil Organisms. Each section includes detailed methods for measuring various soil characteristics, such as water and temperature status, soil structure, carbon and nitrogen pools, exchangeable ions, pH, cation exchange capacity, phosphorus, and the analysis of detritus and organic horizons. Additionally, it covers methods for studying soil biological processes like CO₂, N₂O, and CH₄ exchange, decomposition, nutrient turnover, dinitrogen fixation, and denitrification. The book also addresses the determination of microbial biomass, characterization of soil microbial communities, and methods for studying soil invertebrates and mycorrhizae. Finally, it includes methods for measuring static root parameters and fine root production and demography.