Measuring soil physical properties to assess soil quality

Soil quality is the capacity of a soil to function within ecosystem boundaries to sustain biological productivity, maintain environmental quality, and promote plant, animal and human health. A quantitative assessment of soil quality is invaluable in determining the sustainability of land management systems. Criteria for soil quality assessment are: 1) Choose indicators of soil quality based on the multiple functions of soil that maintain productivity and environmental health, 2)must include soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, and 3) give importance to those soil functions that need to be improved. This presentation emphasizes indicators of good soil physical properties and how to assess them.