The Ecology of Soil Decomposition

About this book

Describes trophic interactions between species that carry out the decomposition of organic matter in the soil. Key topics addressed include functional groups, spatial satisfaction and succession patterns over time, involving bacteria, protists, fungi and micro-invertebrates.

Contents

1. The Saprotrophes
Eukaryotic cells
Protozoa
Chromista
Fungi
Invertebrates
The Bacteria (Prokaryote Bacteria and Archea)
Roots, fine roots and root-hair cells
Summary
Suggested further reading

2. The Habitat
"Through a Ped, Darkly"
Soil and mineral composition
Soil air
Water content
Soil organic matter
Dynamics of soil physical structure
Summary
Suggested further reading

3. Sampling and Enumeration
Soil collection
Site variation and statistical patterns
Extraction and enumeration
Number of species in functional groups
Summary
Suggested further reading

4. Reconstructing the Soil Food Web
Functional categories
Primary decomposition
Secondary decomposition
Primary saprotrophes
Secondary saprotrophes
Other consumers
Omnivory
Symbionts
Opportunistic parasites and parasitism
Summary
Suggested further reading

5. Spatial and Temporal Patterns
Regulation of growth
Periods of activity
Patterns in the time and space
Primary saprotrophes
Secondary saprotrophes and other consumers
Synthesis and conclusions
Summary
Suggestions for further reading

6. Integrating the Food Web
Global impact of decomposition
How to trace nutrients
Soil food web models
Summary
Suggested further reading

Customer Reviews