How do soil animals affect decomposition?
Soil animals affect decomposition and mineralisation in a number of ways. They contribute directly to mineralisation when they release mineralised nutrients in their excreta. However, most of their contribution is indirect. Indirectly they affect organic matter decomposition by: • grazing on the microbial biomass thus altering the rate at which they break down organic matter, • fragmenting organic matter and increasing its surface area for attack by microorganisms, • controlling the grazing pressure of nematodes on microorganisms, • mixing soil and organic matter and • introducing microorganisms to fresh organic matter. Return to the top of the page.
