Document: PAM-3-13-3

Biogeochemical processes in agricultural ecosystems: Discoveries of fundamental significance from agricultural settings.

MATSON, P.A.* ^1,2 and G.P.ROBERTSON ²

Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI 49060 ¹
Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-1926 ²

Abstract:
Biogeochemical processes in agricultural ecosystems regulate nutrient availability and thereby have a major impact on crop production, and also control nutrient exports via gas emissions and solution leaching or run-off. Thus, studying biogeochemistry in agricultural ecosystems can provide substantial economic as well as environmental benefits. As importantly, agricultural ecosystems also provide an exceptional setting in which to examine the mechanisms and controls on biogeochemical processes in general, and thus to contribute to a fundamental understanding of ecosystems. We will present two examples of fundamental information about nutrient cycling processes that have benefitted from studies in agroecosystems. In the first example, we will discuss new information from studies of irrigated wheat systems on the regulation of nitrification vs. denitrification as sources of important trace gases. In the second example, we will illustrate how studies of soil microbial diversity in row crop systems are contributing to our general understanding of the relationship between microbial diversity and ecosystem function. In these and other areas, biogeochemical studies in agricultural ecosystems are providing significant contributions to ecological theory.

Keywords:

This abstract is being presented at: 8:30 AM in session:
Symposium # 14: Ecology and Agriculture.