Assessing soil quality: practicable standards for sustainable forest productivity in the United States

Abstract

Productive soils form the foundation for productive forests. But unfortunately, the significance of soil seems lost to modem society. Most of us are too far removed from the natural factors of production to appreciate the multiple roles of soil. Nor is its worth recognized well by many forest managers who too often see soil only in its capacity for logging roads and trafficability. Thus, the Santiago Declaration is a milestone marking the significance of soil in sustainable forestry. Soil-based indicators of sustainable forestry listed in the Santiago Declaration are described in a generic sense, and countries are left with the task of developing objective standards of soil quality. Here, we examine the historical and conceptual basis for soil quality standards as proposed by the Santiago Declaration relative to U.S. forestry. Further, we synthesize findings from recent research and suggest an approach to develop operationally practicable standards of soil quality for managed forests of the nation.

Citation

Powers, R.F.; Tiarks, A.E.; Boyle, J.R. 1998. Assessing soil quality: practicable standards for sustainable forest productivity in the United States. In: Davidson, E. A., ed. Criteria and indicators of soil quality for sustainable forest productivity. Madison, WA: Special Publication 53 of the Soil Science Society of America: 53-80.