Soil Quality
In 2004 we began a series of measurements to assess selected soil physical and biological properties in a variety of cropping and management systems. Measurements include bulk density, soil compaction, soil organic matter, and aggregate stability. Biological measurements began in 2005.
Progress Report: Soil Quality, updated October 2007 (pdf)
One challenge to the development of biological-based indicators of soil health is that soil organisms are influenced by both dynamic and inherent soil quality. Farm management can influence dynamic soil properties like fertility, bulk density, and aggregation but not inherent soil properties (e.g. texture and mineralogy). Taking into account differences in inherent soil properties within or between fields can increase the utility of soil fertility and foodweb tests.
Soil food webs and dynamic soil quality across diverse agricultural landscapes
