Summary• Experimental increases in atmospheric CO 2 often increase root production over time, potentially increasing soil carbon (C) sequestration.• Effects of elevated atmospheric CO 2 on fine root dynamics in a Mojave desert ecosystem were examined for the last 4.5 yr of a long-term (10-yr) free air CO 2 enrichment (FACE) study at the Nevada desert FACE facility (NDFF). Sets of minirhizotron tubes were installed at the beginning of the NDFF experiment to characterize rooting dynamics of the dominant shrub Larrea tridentata, the codominant shrub Ambrosia dumosa and the plant community as a whole.• Although significant treatment effects occurred sporadically for some fine root measurements, differences were transitory and often in opposite directions during other time-periods. Nonetheless, earlier root growth under elevated CO 2 helped sustain increased assimilation and shoot growth.• Overall CO 2 treatment effects on fine root standing crop, production, loss, turnover, persistence and depth distribution were not significant for all sampling locations. These results were similar to those that occurred near the beginning of the NDFF experiment but unlike those in other ecosystems. Thus, increased C input into soils is unlikely to occur from fine root litter under elevated atmospheric CO 2 in this arid ecosystem.

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Increasingly biologists and ecologists are becoming aware of the vital importance of soil to processes observed aboveground and are incorporating soil analyses into their research. Because of the dynamic and heterogeneous nature of soil, proper incorporation of soil analysis into ecological studies requires knowledge and planning. Unfortunately, many ecologists may not be current (or trained at all) in soil science. We provide this review, based on our cumulative >60 years of work in soil science, to help familiarize researchers with essential information to appropriately incorporate soil analyses into ecological studies. Specifically, we provide a brief introduction into soils and then discuss issues related to soil sterilization, choosing a soil for a greenhouse project, sampling soils, and soil analyses.