title: [Soil macropore and its studying methodology].
abstract: This paper discusses the definition, size, types, formation of soil macropores. Soil macropore (> 0.03 mm) is the pore space that provides preferential paths of flow. The shape of macropore varies from crack or fissure, through to cylindrical pipe. Macropore is formed in main ways: by plant roots and soil fauna; wet-dry and freeze-thaw cycles; chemical weathering. The studying method of macropore divided into direct measurement and indirect description, which suitability and limitation are also reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Terrestrial Ecological Process, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016. liuwei@iae.syb.ac.cn
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ou
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ying
mesh_terms: D018517:Plant Roots / Q000502:physiology; D016062:Porosity; D012106:Research; D012987:Soil
chemical_list: D012987:Soil