Forest Soils

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Introduction

Forests represent the 31% of the total land area and support more than 1.6 million people around the world. At the same time, forests are important because they are home of 80% of the terrestrial biodiversity which include plants, animals and microorganisms [1].

The interaction of the terrestrial biodiversity with the abiotic factors surrounded (soil, water and climate) are integrated in the food web process and determine the energy flow pathway and productivity characteristic of each niche. However, due to the complexity of these interactions forests and their soils even greater in terms of the forest interaction and their relation with soils.

The Soil Science Society of America does not have a specific definition about forest soils. However, Comerford (2006) defined forest soils as a soil that has been developed under forest cover.

Electron micrograph of the Ebola Zaire virus. This was the first photo ever taken of the virus, on 10/13/1976. By Dr. F.A. Murphy, now at U.C. Davis, then at the CDC.

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Filename: PHIL_1181_lores.jpg
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Placement on page: |right|
Legend/credit: Electron micrograph of the Ebola Zaire virus. This was the first photo ever taken of the virus, on 10/13/1976. By Dr. F.A. Murphy, now at U.C. Davis, then at the CDC.
Closed double brackets: ]]

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This template gives you a general idea of the layout of your page. You are not completely restricted to this format, so feel free to try out different things. I'll give you feedback as you work on your pages. Make sure to copy the "code" of this page to your own page before editing. -Prof Kent

In the introduction, briefly describe the habitat that is the topic of this page. Introduce the habitat, its ecological significance, and the importance of microorganisms in this environment. (What processes do they carry out? What functions do they perform?)

Physical environment

Forest soils are dependent of many physical properties.

Describe the physical and chemical characteristics of the environment, using as many sections/subsections as you require. If it is appropriate, you can divide the physical and chemical attributes of the environment into separate sections. Look at other topics available in MicrobeWiki. Which involve processes similar to yours? Create links where relevant.

Microbial communities

What kind of microbes do we typically find in this environment? Or associated with important processes in this environment? Describe key groups of microbes that we find in this environment, and any special adaptations they may have evolved to survive in this environment. List examples of specific microbes that represent key groups or are associated with important processes found in this environment. Link to other MicrobeWiki pages where possible.

Are there important biological interactions that are important in this environment? Do these interactions influence microbial populations and their activities? How do these interactions influence other organisms? Describe biological interactions that might take place in this environment, using as many sections/subsections as you require. Look at other topics available in MicrobeWiki. Create links where relevant.

Microbial processes

What microbial processes define this environment? Describe microbial processes that are important in this habitat, adding sections/subsections as needed. Look at other topics in MicrobeWiki. Are some of these processes already described? Create links where relevant.

Current Research

Enter summaries of recent research here--at least three required

References

[Sample reference]

[1]

Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Edited by Tito Lavaire, a student of Angela Kent at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.