This book develops a concept defined by the editors as ‘inner space’, based on the paradox that the most important feature of soils occurs where solid material is literally absent. In an intriguing approach using reviews from many inter-disciplines in soil biology and physics, the 12 chapters explore interactions to demonstrate the critical role of soil architecture in these vital ecosystem dynamics in one of the most important biosphere resources.

The 12 chapters approach the topic from a variety of angles and disciplines, all with a strong biological aspect. These include visualisation within this opaque matrix, from the microscopic to CAT scans and endoscopes. Contributions to the formation of soil structure by various participants and the consequent reactive effects of structure on microbial function are examined. How organisms grow and respond to the many biological and physical parameters and the effects of soil components and inputs, such as organic matter and pollutants on soil function and nutrient release, are discussed. Various approaches to modelling these, both two and three dimensionally, are also presented. The book finishes with an intriguing chapter on manufactured soils in the sports industry, including microbial dynamics in artificial turfs.

The many perspectives presented to the reader in this text make it highly recommendable to students and researchers in soils and environmental sciences, terrestrial ecology, plant sciences and microbiology.