9408712 Coleman Since 1978, long-term research has been conducted on the effects of tillage regimes and the impacts of biotic manipulations on soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics and nutrient cycling processes in southeastern agroecosystems. Several studies have provided information on the long-term changes which are occurring over time-spans of decades. This project will maintain these long-term experiments. A comparative approach will continue to be used in three core areas: soil structure, food webs, and education. This work will continue to be of importance not only in the context of basic ecological relationships, but also as a guide for improvement of agricultural practices. As a project it is an excellent example of the immediate linkage between fundamental discovery and application.
