Microbiological and biochemical indicators for assessing soil quality in drylands from Patagonia

Abstract

The development of monitoring programs to diagnose the state of soils and prevent their deterioration requires the identification of soil quality indicators. Although several parameters serve this purpose, microbiological properties have the advantages of being highly sensitive and responding fast to changes in soil quality. In Argentina, the information of soil quality indicators is fragmented and mainly directed towards the analysis of physico-chemical parameters in agricultural lands. In this Chapter, we review microbiological/biochemical indicators measured in water-limited natural ecosystems of Patagonia. This baseline information contributes to the future design of site specific monitoring programs devoted to prevent lands deterioration.