Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Soil organic matter
Root-feeding
nematodes
Predatory
arthropods
and
nematodes
Arthropods
(colembola, mites)
Termites
Earthworms
Bacterial- and
fungal-feeding
nematodes
Bacterial-
Fungi
Beetles
Spiders
Protozoa
Ants
A strong, functioning food web will allow a plethora of soil organisms to decompose,
incorporate, and redistribute carbon and other nutrients within the soil profile.
Soil organic matter and plant roots and residues are the sources of carbon for
a cascade of feeding activity by soil fauna and microorganisms. A biologically active
soil food web is essential to the success of all organic agricultural systems.
FIGURE 4.11
Soil food web dominated by the influence of plant production on soil
organic matter accumulation and decomposition through the activity of various macro- and
microorganisms.
FIGURE 4.12
Biological crust composed of moss and other cryptogams in a regenerated
site at Canberra, Australia. This surface is resistant to erosion. (Photographer: T.W. Ellis.)
