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Soil Microbiology:
Who, what, where, when, why and how?
Christopher J. Johnson, Ph.D.
Research Biologist
USGS National Wildlife Health Center
U.S. Department of Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
What is soil?
What lives in soil?
Soil is an environment of extreme biodiversity.
iStockphoto/Thinkstock
Control soil processes!
Residue shredding
Aeration
Decomposition
Microbial stimulation
academia.edu
ecoplexity.com
Giri et al. Microbial Diversity in Soils, Soil Biology. Vol 3, 2005
Fungi.com
Washington University in St. Louis
Soil Foodweb Institute
Biosphere Community
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Dr. James Hoorman, Ohio State Univ.
Only 1% of soil bacteria have been cultured!
ecoplexity.com
Fungi.com
Washington University in St. Louis
Soil Foodweb Institute
Biosphere Community
Where?
Microbial Hotspots
•
•
•
•
•
Surface soil
Plant roots
In association with mineral particles
In association with organic matter
Manure
Fungi.com
When? – Now!
Climate change:
• Desertification
• Melting permafrost (cryotic soils)
• Spread of agriculture – land use
Photograph by Matthias Jakob
Why?
• Biodiversity
– Medicinal compounds
– Enzymatic activities
• Environmental remediation
– Degradation of organic compounds
– Detoxification of contaminants
– Biosorption/Bioaccumulation
• Agriculture
– Soil fertility
– Erosion control
– Water quality
Grones Environmental Services
How?
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How?
academia.edu
Daniel, R. Nature Reviews Micro, 2005
“We know more about the movement of
celestial bodies than about the soil
underfoot.” --- Leonardo DaVinci