Title: Soil structure characterized using computed tomographic images

Author: Cheng, Zhanqi; Anderson, Stephen H.; Gantzer, Clark J.; Van Sambeek, J. W.

Year: 2003

Publication: In: Van Sambeek, J. W.; Dawson, Jeffery O.; Ponder Jr., Felix; Loewenstein, Edward F.; Fralish, James S., eds. Proceedings of the 13th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-234. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station: 368-374

Abstract: Fractal analysis of soil structure is a relatively new method for quantifying the effects of management systems on soil properties and quality. The objective of this work was to explore several methods of studying images to describe and quantify structure of soils under forest management. This research uses computed tomography and a topological method called Multiple Resolution Blankets (MRB) to quantify soil structure. Differences among the signatures of macro-pore scale soil density were explored in intact cores removed under forest canopies. The MRB topological signatures are better able to separate treatment differences than the box-counting method that has been used in the past. The use of these techniques to quantify the effects of forest management systems on soil structure is encouraged.