Soil biological processes in the North – and South
Soil biological processes which have been studied in the north are extended and compared with those of the south polar region. Much can be learned from exploiting the biological similarities and differences of the Arctic and the Antarctic. Firstly, the environmental conditions which control these biological processes are identified, and secondly, the ecology and physiology of the soil organisms are examined as a basis for understanding the functional processes. Soil processes can then be placed in the natural context of the terrestrial ecosystem from their interaction with other components of the system.