Disturbance of Soil Organic Matter and Nitrogen Dynamics: Implications for Soil and Water Quality

Abstract : Research was conducted on soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics at Fort Benning, GA, from October 1999 to June 2004. The objectives of the research were to (1) develop a better understanding of the effects of disturbance on key measures of soil quality at Fort Benning, and (2) determine if there are thresholds of soil quality that potentially affect ecosystem recovery or sustainability. The completed research was relevant to SERDP because it addressed several objectives in the Statement of Need No. CSSON-00-03 titled Ecological Disturbance in the Context of Military Landscapes. In particular, the research addressed the SON objective to determine whether there are thresholds in spatial extent, intensity or frequency above and/or below which the natural system cannot sustain identified ecological and/or land use disturbances.