General Soil Ecology

Barot, Sébastien et al. “A Tale of Four Stories: Soil Ecology, Theory, Evolution and the Publication System.”

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2082661/. 28 Nov. 2007

This article uncovers the background, the finding that soil ecology is not well represented in generalist ecology journals, and how soil ecology will benefit in evolutionary approaches. Scientists formed a hypothesis using quantitative data to show that soil ecology has drifted from general ecology. The website has many references to access while supporting all of their data with graphs and charts. The website provides methods to evaluate the use of modeling and analyzed several soil ecology journals to gather data. It is expressed that soil ecology is vital for primary production and how soil plays a fundamental role in all the biogeochemical cycles. The study explains how soil processes depend on its surroundings and climate. After evaluating, the article gets an 8.4- out of 10.

Basiliko, N., et al, 1.6: Soil Biodiversity and Ecology. Geosciences LibreTexts. https://geo.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Soil_Science/Digging_into_Canadian_Soils%3A_An_Introduction_to_Soil_Science/01%3A_Digging_In/1.06%3A_Soil_Biodiversity_and_Ecology. October 17, 2021. 

This journal article goes into depth on how detailed soil ecology is as a field and how much we still have to learn about it. It includes nine detailed sections on soil ecology, including the results of a related online survey and a “wish list” for new studies scientists should look into on soil ecology. The paragraphs may be difficult for someone under college age to read, as the vocabulary is very scientific. At the end of the journal article, there is a paragraph of recognitions as well as a references list and a list of other media that has cited it. The article is fairly recent and has 32 contributors, all of whose credentials and job affiliations are linked. As a scientific publication, it contains much more information than the average article on soil ecology. It is well formatted and arranged, and it has no typos or grammatical errors. This article would be useful to high school students, college students, and scientists who need to study soil ecology in depth. Overall, this journal article receives a score of 8+ on a scale of 1-10.

Briones, M. “Soil fauna and soil functions: a jigsaw puzzle” https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2014.00007/full, April 2014.

The goal of this article is to educate people on the details of soil organisms, and how they affect the ecosystem. It is split into several sections ranging from potential future studies in the world of ecology to how species that have the same function in an ecosystem are able to improve the soil together. It references information that has been collected over many years, and mentions how the introduction of new technology has changed the way the scientists are classifying soil organisms. This article has a few charts however, there aren’t many other visuals in the article. This article is a 7+ on a scale of 1-10.

Briones, M. “The Serendipitous Value of Soil Fauna in Ecosystem Functioning: The Unexplained Explained”

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2018.00149/full, December 2018.

This article aims to piece together the information about soil organisms to give a complete picture about how they function in an ecosystem. Even though it has very little visuals the information is presented in a clear, easy to understand way which makes up for it. The article is very detailed and informative, and is very useful for specific information about the interactions between plants and microorganisms. The source is also well organized which makes the information easier to process. It would be a 7+ on a scale from 1-10.

Coleman, D .et al. "Fundamentals of Soil Ecology" https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780128052518/fundamentals-of-soil-ecology, 2018.

This journal offers a comprehensive perspective on soil biology and ecosystem function, conveying soil's central roles in ecosystem development. It contains topics such as the historical background of soil ecology, soil science basics, production processes in soils, and decomposition and nutrient cycling. Coleman presents the information professionally yet easily understandable, making it suitable for high school students. There are no links to additional sources but it has numerous helpful images and diagrams as well as the credentials of the authors. This book is an excellent resource for students looking to gain knowledge on the many aspects of soil ecology and humanity's dependence on the products of soil. Overall, this site earns an 8.4– on a scale of 1-10.

Dance, A. “Soil Ecology: What Lies Beneath.” www.nature.com/articles/455724a, October 2008.

This article describes the variety of different organisms that can be found in soil, including nitrogen-fixing bacteria, mites, and nematodes. An image accompanies each example, with facts and general information listed below. The importance of understanding Soil Ecology is also touched on. According to the article, scientists hope that one day nitrogen-fixing bacteria can be used to grow plants and eliminate the need for artificial fertilizers. Amber Dance states it's important to put effort towards preserving and protecting soil, writing that “in 2006 the European Union agreed that soils need protection from erosion, landslides and salinisation” (Soil Ecology: What Lies beneath). However, this article is not very recent (2008), and lacks the credibility that a .org, .gov, or .edu website would have. Despite this, it contains a lot of information about soil’s importance, and received a rating of 8.0-.

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. 2025. “What Is Soil?” Agriculture Victoria. Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/soil/what-is-soil, March 26.

This article discusses the physical characteristics of soil, such as texture, color, structure, depth, stone content, and porosity. The Department of Energy lists reasons as to why each of these characteristics is so important, for example, how good soil structure contributes to the health of soils and plants, as well as how soil stores water for plant growth. They also provide information on soil texture, structure, and drainage characteristics, like how sandy structures are often free draining but have little to no structure. This article features beneficial photos of different topics that they covered, such as what clay soil looks like vs sandy soil. Overall, I would rate this article a 7/10+.

Ecology Center. "The Historical Background of Soil Ecology"

https://www.ecologycenter.us/soil-ecology/the-historical-background-of-soil-ecology.html, January 2024.

In this article of soil ecology, it explains the importance and fundamentals of soil that are extremely important. It also explains the duties of the soil and the other organisms living in the soil. The article also talks about multiple civilizations that created relationships with soil and discovered the importance of soil. This article was helpful in creating a better understanding of soil and its responsibilities. It elaborated on the complete history soil had on civilizations and the soil's importance. It does not have any visuals or author credentials but it was specific and easy to navigate and cites their references. Overall, I would give this article an 8/10.

Editors of Britannica. “Soil Organism” www.britannica.com/science/soil-organism, 2024.

This source describes the different types of organisms living and soil and how they can affect the soil. It explains how some organisms can prevent other species from living in that soil, but most soil organisms are valuable to the Earth. This site also goes into depth about groups of organisms living in soil. It is a detailed and straightforward article. It is well organized and has images to accompany the article. This site gets a rating of 8/10.

Eisenhauer, N., et al, L. C. Priorities for Research in Soil Ecology. PubMed Central, 63, 1–7. National Library of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedobi.2017.05.003, July 2017. 

This article describes many different aspects of soil ecology, such as the many organisms that live in soil, nutrient cycling, and the transfer of energy. There are many descriptive subsections relating to soil biota as well as relevant and colorful visual aids. However, some of the paragraphs are not separated, making some of the information more difficult to process. A summary of key points is included at the end of the article, as well as a list of recommended readings related to soil ecology. There are also short bios of each of the authors at the bottom of the article. All of the information is very detailed without being overly technical or confusing. It is fairly easy to understand for a high school or college student. This article would be useful for someone who wants to learn more about soil biota and how they interact with each other. Overall, this article receives a score of 8- on a scale of 1-10 and is a very reliable source.

Environmental Protection Agency. “Introduction to Watershed Ecology” cfpub.epa.gov/watertrain/moduleFrame.cfm?parent_object_id=540#, n.d.

This article is from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and is an overview of soil properties, types of soil, and the food web. This article utilizes links very well; as some links lead to pages with more detailed information about the specific topic or display images. In the first section the particles (sand, slit, and clay) and basic properties (color, structure, and texture) of soil are listed. The article then describes the different soil orders and classifications as well as the impacts of deforestation on soil. The second section is less about Soil Ecology and more about the food web, so while this website is reliable and has relevant introductory information on the topic, it ranks low in specificity, references, and currency (there is no available date), earning it a 7.1+.

Less, K. "Some Aspects of Soil Ecology" www.jstor.org/stable/24061474, 1964.

This journal aims to educate people on the importance of soil organisms' interactions with other organisms and their environment. Lee provides s of specific trends in the study of soil organisms and their implications on the overall study of ecology. For example, he examines how earthworms could possibly be major contributors to the mineralization of nitrogen and its cycling through the soil. The author presents the information in an understandable manner by breaking down statistics from more complicated studies. Although Lee does not offer any links to other websites, he supplies numerous references that are useful to gain additional information. However, due to its early publication date and lack of images, this journal scores a 7.5– overall on a scale of 1-10.

Moore, J et al. "Microcosms and Soil Ecology: Critical Linkages between Fields Studies and Modelling Food

Webs" https://doi.org/10.2307/2265494, April 1996.

This journal provides detailed models and microcosm studies and concludes that "the energy organization of communities in soils forms the basis of ecosystem stability" (702). The authors provide extensive information such as data charts, equations, and graphs, establishing relationships and principles about how biological systems might operate under various conditions. One specific diagram elaborates on the soil food web for the Central Plains Experimental Range. It is evident that the journal is very professional, but may not be suitable for high school research, as it lacks visuals and contains complicated data. The credentials of the authors are clearly posted along with many references. Overall, this journal earns a 7.7 – on a scale of 1-10.

Needelman, B. “What are soils?” https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/what-are-soils-67647639/, 2013.

This source discusses the composition and processes of soil. It covers soil texture and the different types of matter found in soil and provides pictures as examples. It also overviews soil as a natural body that functions on its own through internal transformation and interactions between soil horizons, again with good diagrams provided. This source gives a great overview of the many functions of soil in a very accessible way. Additionally, it provides a references section that gives additional resources on the topic. Overall this site gets a 7.6- on a scale of 1-10.

Nielsen, U et al. “The Enigma of Soil Animal Species Diversity Revisited: The Role of Small-Scale Heterogeneity” 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2903492/u, July 2010.

This experiment done in 2010, was an attempt to determine the cause of such high species richness in soil environments. While the terminology used was a little complicated, there were a few graphs and charts which made it easier to understand. The article is very helpful because it provides insight into the microbial community and by extension the relationship between soil microorganisms and other soil organisms. The results of the experiment were that species richness in the soil was directly influenced by environmental homogeneity. On a scale of 1-10 this source is a 8-.

NC State University. "Soil Ecology" cals.ncsu.edu/crop-and-soil-sciences/soil-ecology/#:~:text=Soil%20ecology%20is%20the%20study,for%20 delivering%20 essential%20 ecosystem%20services, n.d.

This website provides a general overview on Soil Ecology and describes the properties of the organic matter present in soil. The article defines Soil Ecology as “the study of how soil organisms interact with other organisms and their environment” (NC State University). Some of the physical properties of soil described include the color, solubility, water retention, and structure. The concentration of metals, interactions with xenobiotics, pH, and cation exchange capacity are all chemical properties outlined in the article, and the metabolic energy, macronutrients, enzymes, and resilience are biological properties. Although this website is likely targeted towards students in North Carolina, it provides valuable information on the general topic of Soil Ecology, and is a good overview of what  to look for when conducting research. However, there are no specific authors or references listed, and there is also a lack of images. Overall, this source received a rating of 6.6-.

Scow, K, & Werner, M. "Soil Ecology" https://iv.ucdavis.edu/files/24453.pdf, June 2023.

This detailed analysis of the different organisms that live in the soil provides insights into how soil health is maintained in agricultural ecosystems. It discusses the many functions of microorganisms that allow them to control the amount of chemical compounds in the soil, and the relationship between earthworms and the soil. It also has information about the benefits that plants provide to the microbial community in the soil. This source is very informative and contains several charts and pictures to more clearly explain the range of topics it covers. The information is presented in a way that makes it easy to understand. On a scale of 1-10 this resource would be an 8-.

Schmid, M. “Effects of Plant Community History, Soil Legacy and Plant Diversity on Soil Microbial Communities” www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.07.08.193409v2.full, January 2021.

This site explains the importance of carbon and other chemicals and nutrients in soil. It describes an experiment in which soil was not affected by plants that were growing in it but fungi and bacteria were. This article also has many pictures and diagrams. There are many references given for this page and it is a detailed article. This source gets a rating of 7/10.

Schweikart, O. Let’s Get Dirty: The Fundamentals of Soil Ecology. Compassion Crossing. https://compassioncrossing.com/2023/08/23/lets-get-dirty-the-fundamentals-of-soil-ecology/.,August 23, 2023. 

This article describes many different components of soil ecology, such as a day in the life of a soil ecologist, the different kinds of bacteria that live in soil, and how soil helps our climate. It includes several related pictures as well as an educational video on the carbon cycle at the end of the article. However, the sections of information are fairly short with around 2-3 brief paragraphs each. A comprehensive list of references is included at the end of the article. The information itself is easy to understand without using overly simple or childish vocabulary, and it is well formatted with no typos. It would be useful for someone who needs to understand the basics of soil ecology without reading through walls of text. Overall, this article receives a score of 7- on a scale of 1-10.

Soil Science Society of America. “Soil and the Environment” https://www.soils4teachers.org/soil-and-environment/, n.d.

This site describes the relationship between solid and the environment, detailing the necessity soil health is for general environmental health. It outlines soil’s role in air quality and composition, temperature regulation, carbon and nutrient cycling, and others. It helps describe soil as a functional and active biological system that impacts and is impacted by human and natural activities.  Overall this site gets a 7+ on a scale of 1-10.

Soil Science Society of America. "Soil Basics" https://www.soils.org/about-soils/basics/, n.d.

This article talks about what soil is, the different types of soil, and how and why it’s important to the environment. It is very general and a good summary without being to detailed. It also provides relevant graphics and definitions to important terms relating to soil. It does not include a bibliography or the author’s credentials. However, there are a few links that lead to other sites providing more information. Overall, this site scores a 7.1-.

Soil4life. "Soil Ecology" https://soil4life.eu/en/ecologia-del-suolo/, n.d.

This article explains the complex history of soil. The article talks about the evolution of soil and how it is the simple physical interactions of minerals that compose soil. It explains the necessities and conditions for soil to thrive. The article also talks about the components that compose soil. Lastly, the article explains why soil is necessary for other effects like the greenhouse effect or effects on the atmosphere. Overall, this article was informative and helpful for learning what soil is and how much soil does for the earth. It was recently edited and specific. It also has a good reading length and specific information. I would give this article a 7/10.

United States Department of Agriculture. “Soil Health” https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/natural-resource-concerns/soils/soil-health, n.d.

   The website discusses the importance of soil health and the impacts it has on the surrounding environments. The source goes on to show how soil health regulates water, sustains plant and animal life, filters pollutants, cycles nutrients, and provides stability and support. It shares ways to maintain soil health and why the health of soil parishes more as each day passes by. There is detail about the effect human life has on soil health and shares the importance of humans minimizing disturbance to the soil. The article expresses the significance of maximizing biodiversity, the presence of living roots, and soil cover. After examining the source, I give it a rating of 7.5+ out of 10.  

Wuest, S et al. "Soil Ecology" https://www.ars.usda.gov/pacific-west-area/pendleton/columbia-plateau-conservation-research-center/docs/soilecology/, June 2023.

In this article of Soil Ecology, it explains some projects that were provided by Columbia Plateau Conservation Research Center. The article gives information and data found about soil ecology in their projects. Some of the projects focus on different factors of soil such as root channels, pores, and cracks. It also goes into talking about surface residue and seed germination. The article goes in-depth about soil's impact on responsibilities such as harvesting fields. The article is more helpful for people who are trying to work with soil but overall helped to give a better understanding of soil impact. Overall, I rate this article a 9/10. It included multiple visuals along with

University at Buffalo. “Properties: Soil Properties” https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php/Properties, May 2023.

This article gives good information on soil properties such as texture, structure, and color. It explains soil horizons and its significance on the soil climate well and provides some good photos and diagrams. This source is relatively short, but still serves to give good overview information that can start as a great starting point for research. Also, it provides a references section which gives additional resources on the topic.. Overall this source gets a 7.7- on a scale from 1-10.

University of Maryland Extension. "Soil Basics" https://extension.umd.edu/resource/soil-basics/, 2025.

This site provides information on the basics of soil, as well as its formation and many other important factors. For example, the site states that soils provide water, air, nutrients, and support for surrounding plants. Soil sustains all forms of life on our planet and is considered one of the most crucial, yet neglected and least understood, resources on Earth. The site also talks about how soils are made up of four main components: mineral particles such as sand, silt, and clay, organic matter, water, and air. According to the University of Maryland’s research, the soil texture is due to the parent material, like rock, climate, topography, and more. They provide useful photos and graphs that help you process the information and understand its importance. This site is important to ESSRE students because you must understand what you are working with when it comes to hands-on research. While considering the aspects of soil ecology, it is useful to know what soil is made up of and how it is formed, especially when testing the texture of soil samples. This site prepares you for what to expect for environmental science experiments and helps you understand the basics. I would rate this site a 9/10+.