← Elaine Ingham · Research and publications
Soil life changes with the seasons. What happens to nitrogen?
Dr Elaine Ingham and colleagues followed seasonal relationships between microbes, soil fauna and nitrogen in a semi-arid grassland.
Study published:
Following the soil through time
The study monitored soil populations and nutrients monthly from April to October 1982. It was published in 1986. [1]
Decomposers, grazers and nitrogen
Spring increases in bacteria and fungi were followed by increases in protozoa and nematodes. Declining decomposer populations and increasing grazers coincided with more inorganic nitrogen. [1]
When do we take the sample?
For our monitoring at ELKEAGE, this raises a practical question: in which season and at which stage of the crop was the sample collected? Recording the date, moisture and recent management helps us compare successive observations.
A living picture of the field
We want to follow soil through time, using repeated observations and a consistent sampling approach. This will help us connect what we see under the microscope with plant development and field management.
Sources and references
- Ingham, E. R., Trofymow, J. A., Ames, R. N., Hunt, H. W., Morley, C. R., Moore, J. C. & Coleman, D. C. (1986). Trophic Interactions and Nitrogen Cycling in a Semi-Arid Grassland Soil. I. Seasonal Dynamics of the Natural Populations, Their Interactions and Effects on Nitrogen Cycling. Journal of Applied Ecology, 23(2), 597–614. DOI: 10.2307/2404039 Original publication and study record