Spatial heterogenetic of soil physicochemical properties and biological properties have positive correlation with  natural ecosystem. We can do the evaluation through  the soil characteristics.

Dear Uthappa, it is an interesting issue..

Please look below; I think it could be of  help for you.

Soil value is an hot topic in agroforestry ecosystem services.

Cheers

Valerio

http://www.centerforagroforestry.org/pubs/annual11.pdf

http://www.bkpindia.net/Pdf/Importance_Agroforestry.pdf

http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/365/1554/2959.short

My idea would be to explore indirect services of the soil quality.

Like if the particular kind of soil supports a particular kind of plant/mixed vegetation that has timber or non-timber value can be one service of the soil quality.

Another can be soil quality enhancing resilience to climate change and extreme events through biodiversity point of view

One more can be the carbon sequestration potential of that particular soil type.

All the best

Parth

There are a range of ecosystem services associated with agroforestry specially with respect to soil nutrients, biogeo-chemical cycles and soil microflora. I would suggest a paper by Jose.

Jose, S. (2009). Agroforestry for ecosystem services and environmental benefits: an overview. Agroforestry systems, 76(1), 1-10.

Dear Uthappa,

what makes it different from crop ecosystem services are the vertical and horizontal dimensions once the tree component has come at some age. This may provide "wider" services but it may also make the competition stronger as a dysfunction. Root pruning and branch pruning may have to reduce these competitions, while also replacement of older trees by younger ones has been practiced in alley cropping. The labour involved is a monetary issue. 

You should also not forget the "surface services" such as erosion reduction, infiltration improvement, soil and water "entrapment" by hedgerow intercropping on slopes, etc. These are also to be considered soil ecosystem services. 

So, in monetary terms such matters have also to be taken into consideration and could in cases be more important than below surface services. But they may come with a prize. Below ground competition for resources and resulting yield reductions of associated crops may be a (too) heavy prize for the "soil surface services" rendered.

And in a parkland agroforestry system only an appropriate density of trees delivers an appropriate density of roots that delivers optimal "non-timber products" for local markets. The services delivered below ground get you the appropriate products above ground, but economically sound only when competition remains within limits, also at an older age of trees. The same applies to nitrogen fixing trees.

So the monetary advantages of "wider" services (shade, wind reduction, nitrogen delivery, reduction of soil and water erosion) must be considered for optimum tree densities that do not loose money from below ground competition for resources.

Cheers, Kees