The role of soil organisms in restoration

The soil biological community is inevitably impacted on degraded sites, and much remains to be learned about these impacts. This myriad of soil organi sms and their interactions profoundly affect forest restoration through cap ture and uptake of nutrients, nitrogen fixation, protection against pathoge ns, maintenance of soil structure, and buffering against moisture stress. T he best approach for managers is prevent degradation of the soil biological community. The vast majority of soil organisms live and work in rhizospher es, humus, rotten wood, and the upper mineral soil which are powerhouses of soil biological activity and thus are essential substrates for maintaining site resilience. Although there is no "magic bullet" for enhancing restora tion, there is great opportunity to use soil organisms as "tools." Research is now underway to identify organisms best adapted to specific environment al and biotic conditions and to assess the potential for "managing" these o rganisms. Incorporating the concept of the "living soil" in evaluation of s ite restoration is part of a new, expanding view of forest ecosystems. Unde rstanding soil organisms and putting them to wise use, practicing foresters can better not only maintain populations of beneficial organisms on site b ut also achieve restoration success.