The Ecology of Soil Decomposition

Decomposition is an ecological process that recycles dead tissues, mainly from primary production, into nutrients in the soil. Describing trophic interactions between species that carry out the decomposition of organic matter in the soil, this book addresses the key topics of functional groups, spatial stratification and succession patterns over time, involving bacteria, protists, fungi and micro-invertebrates. Emphasis is placed on the role of species diversity in functional groups.