Soil architecture deals with the spatial distribution and heterogeneity of the different components or properties of soils (Dexter, 1988). It determines and influences many soil processes: physical processes, such as water, air and temperature regimes, decomposition and transport processes, and the occurrence, survival and functioning of soil organisms and plant root systems. Soil architecture can be considered identical to soil structure. The term architecture, however, includes the aspect of a purposely made structure which fulfills special requirements. Several a biotic and biotic factors and processes can be distinguished to contribute to soil structure ( Kooistra, 1991), but only the biotic ones are responsible for the architectural part of soil structure. The below-ground communities and plant roots are dependent and involved in the genesis and maintenance of soil structure for their functioning and growth.
Publication year
1996
Authors
Kooistra M J; van Noordwijk, M.
Language
English
Keywords
architecture, soil, organic matter, distribution
