Franzluebbers, A. J.2016-04-192016-04-192002Soil and Tillage Research 66(2): 95-1060617-1987http://hdl.handle.net/10919/68821Metadata only recordThis paper explores the potential for using a ration of the stratification of soil organic C and N pools by depth as an indicator of soil quality. Stratification ratios offer a more universal indicator of soil quality, allowing comparison of soils across different soil types and climates. The ratios calculated for Georgia, Texas, and Alberta/British Colombia were, respectively, 1.1, 1.2, and 1.9 under conventional tillage, and 3.0, 2.0, and 2.1 under no tillage. High stratification ratios indicate soil quality; degraded soils are unlikely to have a ratio greater than 2.text/plainen-USIn CopyrightSoil organic matterConservation tillageSoil qualityCropping intensityPotential nitrogen mineralizationSoil microbial biomassSoil organic carbonField ScaleAbstracthttps://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-1987(02)00018-1