Effects of soil macro- and mesofauna on litter decomposition and soil organic matter stabilization

• Published in: Geoderma Vol. 332; pp. 161 - 172
• Main Author: Frouz, Jan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.12.2018
• Subjects: Carbon; carbon sequestration; clay; coatings; earthworms; ecosystems; edaphic factors; feces; leaching; lignin; microbial activity; microbial communities; microorganisms; Mineralization; nutrients; oxygen; particulate organic matter; plant communities; polyphenols; polysaccharides; secondary succession; Sequestration; Soil organic matter; soil profiles; soil properties; Soil organic matter; Mineralization; Carbon; Sequestration

Soil fauna consumes substantial amounts of litter and can even consume the entire annual litterfall in some ecosystems. The assimilation efficiency of fauna may reach 50% but is usually much smaller. Soil fauna may affect soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics not only by assimilating litter but also by...