Introduction p. 3
Soil Sampling and Sample Preparation p. 7
Bacterial Biomass p. 12
Indirect Estimation of Microbial Biomass p. 47
Community Structure of Soil Microorganisms p. 76
Soil Respiration p. 93
Dynamics of Soil Organic Matter p. 111
Non-Symbiontic Nitrogen Fixation p. 122
Nitrogen Mineralization p. 135
Nitrification and Denitrification p. 144
Enzymes Involved in Nitrogen Metabolism p. 162
Enzymes Involved in Carbon Metabolism p. 185
Enzymes Involved in Phosphorus Metabolism p. 208
Enzymes Involved in Sulfur Metabolism p. 228
Enzymes Involved Intracellular Metabolism p. 235
Adenosine Phosphates p. 246
Indolic and Phenolic Compounds p. 266
Ectomycorrhizae p. 281
Soil Algae p. 295
Ecophysiological Parameters p. 306
Introduction p. 313
Microfauna p. 316
Mesofauna p. 338
Endogeic Macrofauna p. 346
Epigeic Macrofauna p. 355
Functional Activity of Soil Animals p. 362
Microbial-Faunal Interactions in Soils p. 364
Methods in Soil Physics p. 385
Methods in Soil Chemistry p. 396
Appendix: Basic Laboratory Equipment p. 417
Index p. 418