Chapter 12
Sclerotia Grain, a Mesoscale Component
of Soil
Makiko Watanabe
Abstract Concept of scale of time and space was introduced to overview soil
development and soil component formation, including sclerotia grains formation
in soil. Studies of mesoscopic phenomenon/component, visible in some cases with
the aid of an optical microscope or magnifying glass, may require more biological
approach than macro-scale and microscale phenomena/components, which are
investigated by pedological approach and physical-chemical approach, respectively.
Mesoscale components of soil occupy a position at the intersection of various fields
of investigation. Investigating melanic sclerotia grains that bridge microbial and
pedogenic processes may clarify the biological function of sclerotia formation and
autonomous homeostasis of soil ecosystem. Sclerotia grains, a mesoscale component
in soil may hold the key to understanding novel aspects of soil ecological systems.
Keywords Sclerotia grains · Cenococcum geophilum · Mesoscale component
Methods for soil survey and soil analysis methods have become standardized around
the world, forming the basis of our understanding of soil genesis and classification,
and supporting soil conservation efforts. Similarly, methods for managing and
amending cultivated soils are well established. However, many areas of primeval
forest are currently being cleared and converted to cultivated land. The threat of soil
degradation is increasing, not decreasing.
Soil formation and development are continuous processes that envolve air, water,
organisms, and geological materials within the surface layer of the earth’s crust, and
reach dynamic equilibrium over time scales of hundreds to hundreds of thousands of
years (Razonov et al. 1990). Here, soil formation occurs on a spatial scale of within
10
À1
–10
0 m in the vertical direction within soil profiles.
M. Watanabe (*)
Department of Geography, Graduate School of Urban Environmental Sciences, Tokyo
Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
e-mail: m.wata@tmu.ac.jp
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
M. Watanabe (ed.), Sclerotia Grains in Soils, Progress in Soil Science,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4252-1_12
209
Sclerotia Grain, a Mesoscale Component
of Soil
Makiko Watanabe
Abstract Concept of scale of time and space was introduced to overview soil
development and soil component formation, including sclerotia grains formation
in soil. Studies of mesoscopic phenomenon/component, visible in some cases with
the aid of an optical microscope or magnifying glass, may require more biological
approach than macro-scale and microscale phenomena/components, which are
investigated by pedological approach and physical-chemical approach, respectively.
Mesoscale components of soil occupy a position at the intersection of various fields
of investigation. Investigating melanic sclerotia grains that bridge microbial and
pedogenic processes may clarify the biological function of sclerotia formation and
autonomous homeostasis of soil ecosystem. Sclerotia grains, a mesoscale component
in soil may hold the key to understanding novel aspects of soil ecological systems.
Keywords Sclerotia grains · Cenococcum geophilum · Mesoscale component
Methods for soil survey and soil analysis methods have become standardized around
the world, forming the basis of our understanding of soil genesis and classification,
and supporting soil conservation efforts. Similarly, methods for managing and
amending cultivated soils are well established. However, many areas of primeval
forest are currently being cleared and converted to cultivated land. The threat of soil
degradation is increasing, not decreasing.
Soil formation and development are continuous processes that envolve air, water,
organisms, and geological materials within the surface layer of the earth’s crust, and
reach dynamic equilibrium over time scales of hundreds to hundreds of thousands of
years (Razonov et al. 1990). Here, soil formation occurs on a spatial scale of within
10
À1
–10
0 m in the vertical direction within soil profiles.
M. Watanabe (*)
Department of Geography, Graduate School of Urban Environmental Sciences, Tokyo
Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
e-mail: m.wata@tmu.ac.jp
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
M. Watanabe (ed.), Sclerotia Grains in Soils, Progress in Soil Science,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4252-1_12
209