Trophic Interactions and Soil Quality Characteristics in Midwestern Urban Gardens.

Urban food production is conducted in highly heterogeneous environments that have undergone considerable manipulation by building, demolition, and/or industrial contamination. This study evaluated soil quality characteristics in urban gardens currently used for vegetable production across an urban to peri-urban gradient in Chicago, IL. We quantified indicators of soil physical and chemical condition and coupled with data on food web status. Members of the soil food web are considered integrative indicators of soil health as they change in community structure in response to changes in their habitat as well as the flow of energy and nutrients within the soil. Results and discussion of this work will inform decision-making and support best management practices to enhance soil biological activity and functional diversity in urban production systems.